2 months ago
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Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari
Nigeria has called for a more robust partnership with the United Nations to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security.
This appeal was made in Abuja on Tuesday during the visit of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina Mohammed, to Nigeria, where she held discussions with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, while welcoming Mohammed, highlighted the crucial role that the United Nations has played in Nigeria’s development.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome our sister, Dr Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General to Nigeria to discuss the mutual partnership Nigeria has with the United Nations in the agriculture and food security sector and our efforts towards delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, as well as our strategies of operations over the next four years,” the minister stated.
He further emphasised the importance of this partnership, given Nigeria’s large population and the growing demand for food security.
“As you know, with our large population and growing demand for food security, Nigeria’s partnership with the United Nations is critical to meet the attendant huge consumption demand in the immediate and long-term plan of action,” Kyari said.
He underscored the alignment of the ministry’s mandate with the key priorities of President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, which includes food security, economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication.
The minister also acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between Nigeria and various UN organisations, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the United Nations Development Programme.
He said Nigeria’s commitment to this partnership is further demonstrated through its financial contributions to these organisations.
“Nigeria has been working with these International partners and paying statutory contributions and counterpart funds to FAO, IFAD, UNDP, UNIDO, ILO, WFP, IOM, among others to increase food production, and encourage multilateral institutions to support the Nigerian food system resilience with sustainable interventions in the agriculture sector,” Kyari explained.
In particular, the ministry is seeking additional support for key programmes aimed at increasing food production and improving the livelihoods of rural populations.
“Currently, the ministry would appreciate further support on the Value Chain Development Programme, Value Chain North targeted at increasing food production in the northern part of Nigeria,” he said,
He highlighted the importance of projects like the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project – Niger Delta, which focuses on enhancing income, food security, and job creation for rural youth and women through agribusiness development.
The minister expressed optimism that the visit of the UN Deputy Secretary-General would mark the beginning of a new chapter in the Nigeria-UN partnership.
On her part, Mohammed highlighted the critical situation facing the country, noting that the crisis in Nigeria is exacerbated by multiple factors, including domestic challenges and global disruptions.
“We are looking at those that are affected most, and food security is it, smallholder farmers that have been displaced,” Mohammed stated.
She pointed out that the UN is actively involved in planning efforts to address the needs of displaced populations while simultaneously tackling security issues in the country.
“What we are doing from the UN is to help with that planning so that we can continue to support the displacement while we are trying to solve the security issues in the country in the same manner,” she added.
The food security crisis in Nigeria has been intensified by rising commodity prices, making it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic necessities.
Mohammed acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that resolving it would require time and resources.
“It is not easy; it will not happen overnight. There are many interests that have to be resolved, as you see all over the continent,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Mohammed expressed optimism about Nigeria’s approach, indicating that the government’s strategy has the potential to manage the crisis effectively if supported adequately.
