Business
Invest in the Value Chain of Your Passion, NEXIM Boss Urges Nigerian Youth and Women
By Joel Ajayi
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Abubakar Abba Bello, has called on Nigerian youth and women to pursue investment opportunities that align with their passions particularly within the non-oil value chains.
Mr. Bello made this call on Tuesday during an impactful session organized by the Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Dr. Dayo Israel. The event was part of an ongoing initiative designed to foster direct engagement between policymakers and citizens under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the aim of strengthening national development.
The interactive session focused on educating young Nigerians, especially women, about the vast financing and entrepreneurial opportunities available within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in Nigeria’s non-oil sectors. Bello emphasized that greater youth participation in these sectors is critical for sustainable economic growth and long-term national prosperity.
“True success in business often comes when people invest in areas they are genuinely passionate about,” Bello noted. “Whether it’s agribusiness, services, the creative industry, or solid minerals—there is room for growth. NEXIM has a strong presence and offers support across all these value chains.”
He urged young people to channel their energy, creativity, and innovation into ventures that not only align with their interests but also contribute to national export development.
“What I want to appeal to the youth to do—and what I strongly encourage—is to invest where your heart is. Whether that’s in agriculture, processing, or the creative industries, you’re more likely to succeed when you’re passionate about what you do,” he said.
Bello highlighted the immense untapped potential within non-oil sectors and reaffirmed their importance in Nigeria’s ongoing economic diversification strategy.
“In all these value chains, Nigeria is yet to reach its full potential. But I believe the energy, intelligence, and creativity of our youth can make a significant difference. When young people engage in export-oriented ventures, the impact can be transformative.”
He also commended the APC Youth Wing for launching initiatives that encourage youth engagement in the export space, describing their efforts as both timely and strategic.
In his remarks, Dr. Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader, reiterated his commitment to bridging the gap between citizens and government.
He explained that the initiative was born out of concerns from young Nigerians and women who often feel disconnected from policy-making processes.
“Many of our citizens, especially youth and women, have expressed frustration over limited access to policymakers. That’s why we launched this programme—to bring citizens and government representatives together for meaningful engagement,” Dr. Israel stated.
He further assured that he would “leave no stone unturned” in ensuring that the voices and needs of Nigerian youth are heard and addressed across all sectors of the economy
Agriculture
PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts
In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.
The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.
The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.
“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.
PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.
Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.
Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.
Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.
Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector
State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA:
- Taraba State: ₦154,308,035
- Borno State: ₦127,192,472
- Kaduna State: ₦69,726,150
- Plateau State: ₦45,471,015
Total: ₦396.7 million.
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