Nigeria has declared open the technical session of the 47th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), reaffirming its commitment to achieving food sovereignty and transforming the agricultural ecosystem.

The session, which began on Monday, 3 November 2025, at the Musa Yar’Adua Conference Hall in Kaduna, brought together government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders to develop actionable strategies aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on food imports and strengthening local production systems.

Declaring the session open, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the discussions would shape new policies to support national food sovereignty.

He noted that the theme, “Food Sovereignty and Food Security in an Era of Renewed Hope,” aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises agriculture as a driver of economic recovery and transformation.

According to Ogunbiyi, the technical session serves as the “engine room” of the Council, where memoranda from states, private sector players, and development partners are reviewed to inform decisions that will be adopted during the Council’s plenary session later in the week.

“This process is central to the strength and credibility of the Council. It ensures that our recommendations are inclusive, evidence-based, and grounded in the realities of Nigeria’s diverse agricultural landscape,” he said.

Ogunbiyi urged participants to evaluate past achievements, identify emerging gaps, and chart new pathways for agricultural transformation. He encouraged the sharing of innovative practices in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development, and digital transformation.

He also commended development partners, including FAO, IFAD, WFP, AfDB, World Bank, USAID, and IFPRI for their continued technical and financial support, which, he said, strengthens Nigeria’s collective capacity to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger.

In his welcome address, Hon. Murtala Mohammad Dabo, Commissioner for Agriculture, Kaduna State, expressed delight that Kaduna was chosen to host this year’s Council meeting. 

He described the forum as a “national dialogue on the future of agriculture,” adding that it reflects Kaduna’s commitment to agricultural progress under the leadership of Governor Senator (Dr) Uba Sani, CON.

“The Council has evolved into more than a policy platform; it is a space for reflection, learning, and renewal where states forge collaborations and align strategies for national growth,” he stated.

Dabo highlighted the State Government’s ongoing efforts to reimagine agriculture as a driver of opportunity, peace, and prosperity, noting that no society can thrive without empowering its farmers.

Also speaking, Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, described the theme as a “call to action”, urging all stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce the food it consumes.

“We must create an enabling environment that allows individuals and groups to engage in productive ventures and ensure every household has access to safe, nutritious food,” he said.

Source: FMINO