Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has concluded a three-day validation workshop on the 2022–2024 Agricultural Joint Sector Review (JSR) Reports and the 3rd National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) for 2025–2027, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to driving agricultural transformation in line with continental and national development goals.
Declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, emphasised that the exercise was part of
Nigeria’s alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Programme (CAADP), a continental framework adopted in 2003 to accelerate
agricultural growth, food security, and economic development.
“The JSR and NASIP documents are expected to guide
investment opportunities, identify financial gaps in the agrifood system, and
provide direction for private sector and partners’ interventions,” Ogunbiyi
said.
He explained that Nigeria had made significant progress in
the AU Biennial Review Reports, ranking fourth and third in the 2017 and 2023
assessments, respectively, though challenges remain.
Ogunbiyi noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s
administration had intensified investments in agriculture, citing the Renewed
Hope Mechanisation Programme, which deployed 2,000 tractors to cultivate over
550,000 hectares of farmland, expected to produce more than 2 million metric
tons of staple foods and generate jobs for youths and women.
He also highlighted the recapitalisation of the Bank of
Agriculture (BoA) with N1.5 trillion, the establishment of the National
Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), and the repositioning of NALDA to boost
land development for increased production.
As part of CAADP domestication, Ogunbiyi revealed that
Nigeria had inaugurated an Agricultural Sector Working Group in April 2025 to
coordinate collective action towards implementing the Kampala Declaration
(2026–2035), which succeeds the Malabo commitments.
He added that a 10-year Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035)
was being developed to ensure ownership by state and non-state actors.
Delivering a goodwill message, Blessing Akhile, Food and
Agriculture Programme Advisor at ActionAid Nigeria, reiterated the importance
of inclusive agricultural development.
She stressed that smallholder farmers, particularly women
and youth, must be at the center of investment frameworks. “This validation
workshop is a critical step in strengthening ownership, accountability, and
joint action.
“The 3rd NASIP will not only serve as a framework for
investment but also as a tool for transforming Nigeria’s agrifood system in
line with AU commitments,” she said.
Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, Director of Planning and Policy
Coordination at FMAFS, commended stakeholders for their active engagement and
contributions.
He noted that the outcomes of the workshop would shape
policy formulation, guide investments, and strengthen public-private
partnerships.
“I urge all stakeholders to continue to work together to
ensure full implementation of the recommendations and investment plans for a
robust agricultural sector in Nigeria,” Tanimu stated, before officially
declaring the workshop closed.
The workshop, held in Abuja from 18th to 20th August 2025,
brought together government officials, international partners, donor agencies,
civil society organisations, and private sector actors.
Participants validated key documents that will guide
Nigeria’s agricultural development over the next three years while aligning
with Africa’s long-term vision for food security and agrifood system
transformation.
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