Lady Helen Eno Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady in Akwa Ibom State, has called for stronger international partnerships to support agricultural development in the state, with a focus on dairy production and smart greenhouse farming.
She made the appeal on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, during the opening and guided tour of the Netherlands Pavilion at Agrofood Nigeria 2026 in Lagos, where she urged Dutch investors to consider long-term opportunities in Akwa Ibom.
Obareki said the Netherlands remains a global reference point in agro-industrial innovation, especially in greenhouse technology and high-yield dairy systems, adding that its model offers useful lessons for Akwa Ibom’s agricultural growth plans.
She said the state government, under the ARISE Agenda, is pursuing an agricultural strategy built on sustainability, mechanisation and rural development. She added that Akwa Ibom is drawing from the Dutch approach of achieving higher output with fewer resources in order to improve productivity.
Obareki said the state is open to partnerships that can deepen its dairy value chain and support the development of smart greenhouse clusters. She described Akwa Ibom as a fertile, peaceful and investment-ready destination for agribusiness.
She also linked agricultural growth to social infrastructure, saying technology must be backed by community support systems. In that regard, she highlighted interventions by the Golden Initiative for All, which has installed solar-powered water systems in 13 local government areas for domestic use and irrigation support.
Among the state’s major projects, she listed the 50-hectare integrated agro-economic hub and the Ibom Model Farm in Nsit Ubium, which is under development. She said the facility could provide room for the adoption of Dutch greenhouse solutions to support year-round food production.
Other initiatives, according to her, include the Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company, the Tree Crop Revolution, and the development of the Blue Economy in Oron. She said the projects are designed to build a diversified and investor-friendly agricultural sector.
Obareki also assured potential investors of the state’s stability, describing Akwa Ibom as peaceful and secure, with the enabling environment needed for international business.
She said the state also offers supporting infrastructure, including a growing road network, Ibom Air, and the ARISE Palm Resort, which is nearing completion.
In his keynote address, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, spoke on the potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, especially in exports. He called for the creation of BULOG-style national reserves, stronger investment in irrigation, market liberalisation, and policy consistency to help the country respond to current economic pressures.
Goodwill messages at the 11th Agrofood Nigeria exhibition came from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria Bengt van Loosdrecht, diplomats, investors, business leaders, and other stakeholders across the agriculture and food value chain.
Obareki attended the exhibition alongside the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, the General Manager of Ibom Equipment Leasing Company Limited, Engr Ifiok Udo Ekott, and the Director of Agribusiness in the Governor’s Office, Mr Ofonmbuk Nelson.
