As part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem, the Kaduna Business School (KBS), in partnership with AGRA, the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has certified 110 agribusiness Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) and graduated 50 agribusiness Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The beneficiaries, drawn from Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger states, were honoured during simultaneous graduation ceremonies marking the successful completion of the maiden cohort of the Agri-Business Development Service Providers (AGRI-BDSPs)/AGRI-MSMEs programme.
Speaking at the Kaduna graduation ceremony on behalf of the AGRA Nigeria country director, AGRA project manager, Dr. Godswill Aguiyi, described the programme as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agribusiness support ecosystem.
According to him, transforming agriculture requires more than increasing food production, stressing that farmers and agribusinesses need access to quality business advisory services, finance, markets, technology and institutional support to build sustainable enterprises.
“Behind every successful agribusiness is an ecosystem of capable institutions and professionals that provide these critical services,” Aguiyi said.
He noted that MSMEs contribute about 46.32 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), account for approximately 96.9 per cent of businesses and provide nearly 87.9 per cent of employment nationwide.
Aguiyi added that the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector contributed about 25.9 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP in 2024, underscoring the importance of strengthening the business Development Services ecosystem to drive inclusive economic growth.
Representing the Kaduna state commissioner for agriculture, Dr. Fatima Tijani, said the graduation marked not only the completion of a training programme but also the beginning of a new chapter of innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and service within the agricultural sector.
She said unlocking the full potential of agriculture requires more than hardworking farmers, noting that competent business advisors, innovative entrepreneurs, sound management practices and access to modern technologies and markets are equally critical to the sector’s growth.
The Nasarawa state Commissioner for Agriculture, Umar Tanko Tunga, described the capacity building as one of the strongest foundations for transforming agriculture and strengthening agribusinesses in the state.
He said the establishment of the state government’s farm had enabled policymakers to gain first-hand knowledge of the realities farmers face across the agricultural value chain, thereby strengthening government’s ability to formulate policies and interventions that directly address their needs.
Kaduna Business School Project Manager, Ameh Omagwu, urged the newly certified BDSPs to remain committed to supporting agribusinesses across Nasarawa state, assuring them of the continued support of AGRA, KBS and other partners.
Also speaking, SMEDAN’s representative in Nasarawa state, Bashir Shola Mohammed, commended the collaboration among the partner organisations, describing the graduation of the first cohort as an important step towards strengthening the state’s agribusiness ecosystem.
In Niger state, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Kaduna Business School equally praised the initiative, noting that it had strengthened the state’s business development services ecosystem while improving the operational capacity and competitiveness of participating agribusinesses.