The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has organised a three-day Validation Workshop for the 2022–2024 Agricultural Joint Sector Review (JSR) Reports and the 3rd National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) 2025–2027.
The initiative aims to drive agricultural transformation aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities and continental development goals.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, stated that the workshop 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.
Dr. Ogunbiyi noted that CAADP’s central focus is to transform African agriculture by ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and stimulating economic growth, with a continental commitment of 6% annual growth and 10% budgetary allocation to agriculture.
“The endorsement of CAADP started with the Maputo (2003–2014), Malabo (2015–2025), and currently the Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), which was adopted at the African Union Heads of State and Government Extraordinary Summit in Uganda”.
”This marked a significant moment in Africa’s leadership. This collective commitment aims to drive a prosperous, resilient, and transformative agrifood system across the continent,” he said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s performance, Ogunbiyi revealed that the country ranked fourth and third in the AU Biennial Review Reports for 2017 and 2023, respectively.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had intensified investments in agriculture through initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Mechanisation Programme, which deployed 2,000 tractors to cultivate over 550,000 hectares of farmland.
The programme is expected to yield over two million metric tonnes of staple foods and create employment for youths and women.
Further, the Permanent Secretary emphasised the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) with ₦1.5 trillion, the establishment of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), and the repositioning of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) as critical steps to boost land development and enhance productivity.
He stressed that Nigeria remains committed to implementing CAADP, noting that past and present administrations have institutionalised policies and strategies to domesticate the framework.
“A step in this direction was the inauguration of the Agricultural Sector Working Group by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security on 15 April 2025”.
“This Working Group, comprising stakeholders across the entire agrifood transformation pathway, will coordinate collective efforts towards achieving the outcomes of the Kampala Declaration,” Dr. Ogunbiyi said.
He urged participants to embrace CAADP as a blueprint for action that would empower farmers, strengthen food security, and drive economic growth.
Additionally, the Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, noted that the gathering would allow participants to reflect on progress, share insights, and chart a collective path forward.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, a critical element in achieving food security, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting sustainable development,” Tanimu said.
He added that the meeting provided a vital platform to assess achievements, identify constraints, and strengthen collaboration for a more resilient agri-food system.
Diverse agricultural stakeholders, including the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), participated in the workshop.
Highlights of the event included expert presentations from Prof. Raphael Babatunde, CAADP Regional Expert, and Dr. Azeez Muyiwa, who reviewed Nigeria’s agricultural sector performance.
Source: Authority
