An Assessment of Value-Added Agricultural Export and Economic Development in Nigeria 2015-2022

Agriculture which was the mainstay of the economy before the advent of oil as a major source of revenue for the country, facilitated a look into how value-added in the context of agricultural exports can bring about economic development in Nigeria. The paper focus on three main products (sesame seeds, cashew nuts, and high-quality raw cocoa beans), providing specificity in product coverage, which was lacking in extant literature. The paper specifically concerned with examining the extent to which value addition influenced the acceptability of Nigeria’s agricultural exports in the international market, as well as its effect on GDP and employment creation. The paper made use of documentary research where views of scholars were analysed. Export-led growth theory was employed to explained the value added agricultural exports and economic development in Nigeria. Findings arrived at indicated that value addition had positive and significant positive effect on the acceptability of Nigeria’s agricultural exports in the international market. Challenges were exposed that hampered the implementation of value addition activities on Nigeria’s exports. It was therefore recommended that sustained partnership with international organisations and other stakeholders be sought for the purpose of simplifying the certification process to the benefit of encouraging more participation in the Nigerian agricultural value chain.