The Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, has restated the bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting investments that stimulate Nigeria’s economy and transform opportunities in the country into business ventures and empowerment for young people.
Lawal emphasized that Ecobank is ready and determined to harness the potential of Nigeria’s dynamic youth population by offering incentives that make agriculture an attractive sector for them.
Lawal made these remarks at the Agribusiness Investors Network event organized by the Innovative Youth in Agriculture (I-Youth) and held at the Ecobank Pan Africa Center (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event, which was a collaboration between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Mastercard Foundation, and Ecobank, was attended by esteemed guests including Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representatives from the African Development Bank, the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Agribusiness Group, the Fintech Association of Nigeria, and several other financial institutions.
“As a Pan African bank, we are fully committed to supporting investments that stimulate Nigeria’s economy and convert available opportunities into business ventures,” stated Lawal. “We are determined to tap into the energy of Nigeria’s vibrant youth population by providing incentives that make agriculture an appealing and lucrative sector for them.”
Lawal expressed optimism that the event, which provided a platform to discuss global agribusiness trends, digital financing, import and export opportunities, and intercontinental partnerships, would greatly contribute to revitalizing the agriculture sector within Nigeria’s economy.
In his opening remarks, Ken Dashiell, the Deputy Director of Partnership and Delivery at IITA, highlighted the urgency of stakeholders collaborating to empower youth in transforming Nigeria’s food system. Dashiell emphasized the need for government and other development partners to implement appropriate policies and programs that attract young people to engage in agriculture.