By Stanley Okon
Ahead of the 5th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference scheduled for Uyo, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, FMITI, has announced its official endorsement of the event and confirmed that its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, will be honoured at the conference.
Dr. Isokpunwu, according to the Ministry, has formally accepted the Award of Recognition slated to be presented to him during the international conference tagged UYO 2026, which will hold from October 25 to 28, 2026, in Akwa Ibom State.
The acceptance and endorsement were conveyed in an official notification letter dated 8th October, 2026, with reference number FMITI/PS/STA-OPS/2026/I. The letter was addressed to the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative, NAADI, and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the conference.
Signed by the Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Ehidiamhen Paul, PhD, the letter explained that the award is in recognition of the Ministry’s strategic role in driving national industrialization, promoting non-oil trade expansion, attracting investments and fostering sustainable economic development.
The letter stated in part:
“I am directed to inform you that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has formally accepted the Award of Recognition, which will be presented to him during the upcoming 5th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference (Uyo 2026),”
The Ministry also used the opportunity to confirm its full institutional endorsement of the conference, noting that the Permanent Secretary has personally confirmed his attendance. He is expected to not only receive the award but also participate in high-level executive dialogues during the four-day event.
According to the notification, the endorsement reflects FMITI’s recognition of UYO 2026 as a premier national and continental platform for advancing agro-industrialization, value-chain integration, job creation and strategic economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
The Ministry further commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its commitment to hosting the global agribusiness gathering.
“The Ministry appreciates His Excellency’s leadership as the Chief Host and the support of the Akwa Ibom State Government towards the successful hosting of this important international conference,” the letter added.
With this development, FMITI joins the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which had earlier endorsed the conference, confirming that UYO 2026 enjoys full Federal Government backing.
Organized by NAADI, this year’s conference is themed “Unlocking Africa’s Agricultural Value Chains: Processing, AfCFTA Market Integration, and Climate-Resilient Capital.” The event is projected to attract governors of the South-South states, local and foreign investors, development partners, policymakers, and agribusiness leaders from across Africa to chart a new course for agro-industrial growth.
