The Federal Government has recapitalized the Bank of Agriculture with ₦1.5 trillion and committed over ₦200 billion to agricultural interventions nationwide, as part of efforts to bolster food security and position Nigeria as a regional leader in sustainable food systems.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this known during a high-level engagement on Saturday in Abuja, which featured bilateral meetings, technical briefings, and a tour of Nigeria’s national agricultural mechanization fleet at the National Agricultural Seed Council, Sheda.
Kyari described the recapitalization as a strategic move to empower farmers, improve access to credit, and boost productivity. He linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s July 2023 declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security, calling it a pivotal moment in the country’s agricultural reforms.
“We have distributed over 2.15 million bags of fertilizer and developed a national farmer registry in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission, targeting more than 42 million farming households,” Kyari said.
He added that Nigeria’s agricultural roadmap is grounded in mechanization, youth participation, food sovereignty, and data-driven policy formulation. The minister also emphasized ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration with ECOWAS member states, particularly The Gambia, through joint technical missions and formal partnerships.
In his remarks, The Gambia’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr. Demba Sabally, expressed admiration for Nigeria’s progress, particularly in rice production. He requested Nigeria’s technical support, including the designation of a Rice Ambassador to help advance The Gambia’s 2030 self-sufficiency target.
“We are impressed by Nigeria’s rice initiatives, from outgrower schemes to processing and storage. This model gives us confidence to scale up domestic production,” Sabally said.
The Gambia’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Nyangado Alhagie, called the engagement “transformational,” highlighting Nigeria’s role in providing replicable agricultural models for West Africa.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, underscored the significance of regional collaboration, describing Nigeria’s success in rice production as a potential blueprint for the continent.
He urged African nations to prioritize local solutions, noting that the quality and acceptance of Nigerian rice have continued to grow.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to mutual learning, technology transfer, and food security cooperation across the region.
With the recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture and growing regional ties, stakeholders say Nigeria is on course to reinforce its leadership role in securing Africa’s food future.
