Stockbrokers explore Nigeria’s Agricultural sector to drive economic growth, employment 

The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) says it is exploring the link between Nigeria’s agricultural sector and the capital market as drivers of employment and economic growth. This is in order to restore Nigeria to the path of double-digit growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through agricultural development.

A statement by the Institute revealed that its 26th annual stockbrokers’ conference with the theme “Capital Market and Agricultural Development in Nigeria: Issues and the Way Forward” would be held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, from Wednesday, 7th September, 2022 to Friday, 9th September, 2022.

The Institute noted that its annual conference would discuss policies affecting agriculture and Nigeria’s economy in general.

According to the CIS, the 2022 theme was approved to provide a platform to enable experts to advise the Federal Government on how it can leverage the commodities market to grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), provide food security, guarantee employment, eliminate banditry and terrorism, among others.

The Institute also disclosed that the Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who is also a Chartered Stockbroker, is expected to declare open the conference to set a new agenda for agriculture and economic development in Nigeria.

“The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) says agriculture is the foundation of the Nigerian economy, employing about 35% of the country’s population.

“The sector also contributes approximately a quarter of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) despite the presence of crude oil.

“Consequently, agriculture is a sector that has been of topmost priority to the Nigerian capital market.

“Two companies in the agricultural sector, Okomu Oil Palm Co PLC and Presco PLC, have ranked among the highest price gainers on the Nigerian Exchange in recent times.

“It is on this basis that the 2022 Annual Stockbrokers’ Conference beams its searchlight on agriculture, exploring the nexus between the sector and the capital market as drivers of employment and economic growth, and proffering effective strategies to restore Nigeria to the path of double-digit growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through agricultural development,” the statement read, in part.

Source: Agro Nigeria