The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Helen Eno Obareki, has called for strategic international partnerships to accelerate agricultural development in the state.
Obareki made the call on Tuesday at the opening and guided tour of the Netherlands Pavilion during the Agrofood Nigeria 2026 in Lagos, where she urged Dutch investors to explore long-term investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom, particularly in dairy production and smart greenhouse farming.
Inviting the Dutch business community to partner with the state, she highlighted Akwa Ibom’s fertile land, peaceful environment and readiness to support large-scale agricultural investments.
She described the Netherlands as a global leader in agro-industrial innovation, especially in greenhouse technology and high-yield dairy systems, noting that its model offers valuable insights for the state’s ongoing agricultural transformation.
According to her, Akwa Ibom’s agricultural drive—anchored on the ARISE Agenda of the current administration—is focused on sustainability, mechanisation and rural development, drawing inspiration from the Dutch philosophy of “doing more with less” to boost productivity.
Obareki emphasised that agricultural advancement must be complemented by social infrastructure, pointing out that the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA) has installed solar-powered water systems across 13 local government areas to support both domestic use and irrigation.
She listed key projects underway in the state to include a 50-hectare integrated agro-economic hub and the Ibom Model Farm in Nsit Ubium, which is expected to leverage Dutch greenhouse technologies for year-round food production.
Other initiatives include the establishment of an Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company to drive mechanisation, the Tree Crop Revolution, and the development of the Blue Economy in Oron, all aimed at creating a diversified and investor-friendly agricultural landscape.
Reiterating the state’s readiness for foreign investment, Obareki described Akwa Ibom as a peaceful and secure destination, widely regarded as a “safe haven” for business, with modern infrastructure to support growth.
She noted that the state boasts an extensive road network, a functional airline in Ibom Air, and the soon-to-be-completed ARISE Palm Resort, positioned as an eco-friendly tourism hub.
In a keynote address, Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives, highlighted the vast export potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, stressing the need for strategic investments in irrigation, market liberalisation, and policy consistency to drive long-term growth.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, as well as other stakeholders across the agriculture and food value chain.
Obareki was accompanied to the event by key government officials, including Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, alongside other top aides, as participants explored investment opportunities, innovations and partnerships within the sector.
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