By Esther Onyegbula

Nigeria has made a bold step toward redefining its agricultural and economic future with the launch of the World Agritourism Festival, a groundbreaking event that promotes the fusion of agriculture and tourism as a strategy to transform rural economies, attract diaspora investment, and boost food security.

Held in Lagos and hosted by Xtralarge Farms Nigeria, the festival brought together government officials, agribusiness leaders, development experts, and diaspora stakeholders to spotlight the potential of agritourism as a tool for sustainable development and cultural pride.

In her keynote address, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), described agritourism as “a sector with untapped potential to transform our economy, engage our youth, develop rural areas, and enhance our global visibility.”

Represented by the Lagos Head of NIDCOM, Dabiri-Erewa called on the diaspora community to view investment in agritourism as not only a business opportunity but a patriotic contribution to national development.

“Diaspora investment is a bridge to generational wealth, job creation, and food security,” she said. “We must connect our rich cultural heritage with modern development to ensure that every farmer’s contribution is seen, valued, and celebrated.”

Highlighting the history and vision behind the event, Mr. Sola Ajayi, Chairman of the World Agritourism Festival Planning Committee, said Xtralarge Farms was birthed over a decade ago by the visionary couple Dr. Seyi and Dr. Moji Davis. He described the farm as a model of organic, health-centered farming with a network of over 200,000 direct affiliates and over 1 million indirect partners across continents.

According to him, “Xtralarge is not just a farm; it is a movement, an ecosystem of passionate farmers committed to producing 100% natural, GMO-free food,” Ajayi said.

The farm’s latest innovation, AgriTech City, was introduced as a luxurious model of sustainable farming and tourism. Visitors are invited to experience farming firsthand, join educational farm tours, and enjoy health-focused farm-to-table experiences.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Moji Davis emphasized the power of integrating culture, entertainment, and tourism into agriculture to “make it more profitable and sustainable.”

“We are inviting everybody into farming through tourism. We believe you can build your future farming business by integrating tourism into it,” she said.

Representing the Lagos State Government, Mr. Ogunleye Adedotoun delivered a speech on behalf of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, highlighting Lagos’ efforts to become a hub for agritourism.

“This event is more than a summit; it is a signpost of where the future is headed, where farming meets culture, and rural communities become global destinations,” Adedotoun said.

He noted recent state investments such as the largest rice mill in West Africa, multiple food hubs, and the soon-to-be-launched largest food logistics hub in Sub-Saharan Africa, all aimed at revolutionizing food systems and boosting tourism.

Despite optimism, speakers acknowledged existing challenges, particularly the trust deficit that hampers diaspora engagement.

“We must engage with the diaspora with integrity,” said Dabiri-Erewa. “Many Nigerians abroad are eager to invest but are discouraged by concerns around transparency and accountability. That must change.”

The call for ethical practices in agribusiness was echoed by other stakeholders who urged both public and private sector players to “do business the right way” to attract global partnerships.

As conversations continued throughout the event, participants were urged to build cross-sector partnerships, embrace innovation, and leverage Nigeria’s cultural heritage to boost agricultural visibility globally.

“This is not a vision for tomorrow,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “It is a call for urgent action today.”

The World Agritourism Festival is poised to become a recurring global platform showcasing Nigeria’s agricultural excellence, fostering investment, and rewriting the narrative around farming and tourism in Africa.