BOI’s ₦636bn Financing Boost Prioritizes Agribusiness Sector
Agribusiness has emerged as the biggest beneficiary in a record‑breaking financing year for the Bank of Industry (BOI) after the development finance institution disbursed ₦636 billion to more than 7,000 businesses across Nigeria in 2025 the highest annual financing volume in its history. Of this unprecedented total, ₦202 billion, or about 32 percent, was allocated to agro‑allied enterprises, far outstripping other sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, extractive industries, and services.
The scale and structure of the BOI’s 2025 financing clearly demonstrate a renewed strategic emphasis on agribusiness, reflecting policymakers’ intent to strengthen food production, expand processing capacity, and improve the agricultural value chain. This focus comes at a time when food security and agricultural financing have remained persistent challenges, with formal credit historically limited despite agriculture’s contribution to GDP and employment.
President Bola Tinubu described the BOI’s performance as concrete validation of ongoing macroeconomic reforms and institutional discipline that are unlocking long‑term capital for productive sectors. He highlighted that the funds not only supported agro‑processing expansion but also strengthened manufacturing output, infrastructure delivery, and business growth across states.
The disbursement extended beyond agribusiness to include investments in critical national infrastructure such as broadband and power, while managed and matching funds supported partners and state government projects. The BOI’s inclusive approach saw financing reach enterprises of all sizes from nano and micro businesses to SMEs and large firms ensuring a broad economic impact.
This landmark financing drive also contributed to the creation and retention of about 1.6 million jobs, bolstered support for startups and MSMEs, and increased access to affordable credit for women and youth‑owned businesses.
By steering the largest share of financing toward agribusiness, the BOI is not only addressing credit gaps in a vital economic sector but also supporting Nigeria’s broader objectives of industrialisation, food security, and inclusive economic growth.
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