I undertook some secondary research in the 2nd week of January 2025 on agrocommodity in Nigeria and was to follow up with a field research in states across the south-west.

I rather went took to a neigbouring country, Republic of Benin based on research and also that a key informant (Animashaun Ibrahim, Manager & CEO, IBF Farms & Agrocommodity) on the agrocommodity I was to see in a south western Nigerian state was in Benin at that time.

Thus, I sat with him at the border town between Benin and Nigeria to discuss agrocommodity and the trading.

The discussion touched on his descent into commodity trading having being previously involved in primary production (farming).

He informed on his rationale to aggregate commodity in Benin Republic other than in Nigeria.

The conversation also encompassed commonly traded agricultural commodities, the opportunities and challenges.

He shared his thoughts on why people rather engage in commodity trading and more than other aspects of the value chains are why as a nation we export more raw commodities and import value-added products.

Animashaun ended by giving a one-minute brief of what we should be doing to transform our agriculture unlock its potential to feed the nation, boost trade and grow wealth and ensure equality.