New Push For Peace As Farmers, Herders Engage Policymakers

A fresh effort to address Nigeria’s long-running farmer-herder conflict is set to take centre stage as agricultural stakeholders, policymakers and investors converge in Abuja for the Agricultural Mechanization for Export-Quality Products in Africa Expo (AGROMEQA EXPO 2026).

The two-day event, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in partnership with JMT Plus Farms and Agro-Allied, is being positioned as a major intervention to transform Nigeria’s largely subsistence agriculture into a mechanised, export-driven sector.

Beyond its economic focus, the expo is expected to provide a high-level platform for dialogue on ending the persistent farmer-herder crisis, which has for years disrupted rural livelihoods, food production and national security.

The conflict, rooted in competition over land and water resources, has intensified over the past decade due to climate change, population growth and weak land management systems. Clashes between pastoralists and farming communities have resulted in widespread violence, displacement and loss of lives, particularly across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

Announcing the initiative on Tuesday, ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said the expo would convene critical stakeholders to explore sustainable solutions to the crisis while advancing agricultural productivity.

He noted that the event would bring together farmers, herders, agribusiness operators and government officials to promote dialogue and policy alignment aimed at reducing tensions and fostering peaceful coexistence.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to formally declare the expo open, underscoring the federal government’s backing for the initiative.
Obegolu described the expo as more than a trade exhibition, stressing that it represents a structural shift in Nigeria’s agricultural model.

The event, themed “Technology and Investment for Agro-Export,” is designed to focus on leveraging mechanisation and innovation to boost productivity and reduce resource-based conflicts, the organizers said.

He explained that modern farming techniques, including irrigation systems and climate-smart technologies, could help minimise the pressure on grazing land and improve yields, thereby addressing some of the root causes of the conflict.

The expo will feature live demonstrations of agricultural machinery, precision farming tools and agro-processing technologies. It will also host plenary sessions, technical workshops and business-to-business meetings aimed at linking local producers with investors across the value chain.

President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, is expected to deliver the keynote address, focusing on the role of private capital in scaling Nigeria’s agricultural export capacity.

Organisers said the event would attract investors from across Africa, reflecting its continental ambition to position Nigeria as a hub for agro-export and agribusiness innovation.

A dedicated Schools’ Agro Exhibition and Competition is also planned to engage young people and promote early interest in modern agriculture.

Obegolu emphasised that AGROMEQA EXPO 2026 is designed to catalyse investment, technology transfer and strategic partnerships capable of driving long-term transformation in the sector.

He called on government agencies, private sector players and development partners to actively participate, noting that collaboration remains critical to achieving both agricultural growth and lasting peace in rural communities.