The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through reforms, science-driven farming and increased private sector investment aimed at achieving food security and lifting millions out of poverty.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, made the pledge on Thursday at the Second Biannual Meeting of the Agrifood Systems Working Group (ASWG) organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja.
Bagudu said the Tinubu administration is committed to building a resilient and inclusive agrifood system that will guarantee food security, create jobs and improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
He commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for leading the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026–2035, describing it as a roadmap that aligns with Nigeria’s agricultural development goals.
According to him, although the African Union’s agricultural agenda runs until 2035, President Bola Tinubu has set a more ambitious target of lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty by 2030 through food security and inclusive economic growth.
Bagudu said agriculture remains at the heart of the country’s development agenda, noting that Nigeria has more than 42 million farming households, most of them smallholder farmers who are critical to national food production.
“The success of Nigeria’s food system depends on empowering our millions of farming households with the support, technology, financing and market opportunities they need to produce more efficiently and improve their incomes,” he said.
The minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda recognises agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, pointing to the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the transfer of fisheries to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as major reforms designed to strengthen the sector.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand agricultural financing through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), saying the initiatives would promote land development, climate-smart farming and improved productivity.
Bagudu stressed that agriculture should not be left to the Ministry of Agriculture alone, urging stronger collaboration among government agencies, researchers, financial institutions, the private sector, women and youth to modernise farming.
He said innovation, technology and scientific research would play a vital role in increasing productivity and attracting more investments into the agricultural value chain.
The minister also acknowledged challenges facing the sector, including insecurity, rising fertiliser prices, energy costs and unfair trade practices, but expressed optimism that improved security in many farming communities, especially in the North-East, has led to better harvests.
He called for sustained collaboration among government, development partners, farmers and the private sector to build a resilient agrifood system capable of guaranteeing food security and driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
