The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership in regional agriculture and food security as it hosts the Central and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) Regional Convening to strengthen surveillance of transboundary plant diseases across Africa.
Speaking during the official opening of the event held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, stated that the convening is a celebration of partnership and a reaffirmation of Africa’s collective responsibility to safeguard crops that feed millions, sustain economies and secure the continent’s future.
Dr. Abdullahi noted that “Plant health is food security. Without healthy crops, we cannot guarantee sufficient food, improve farmers’ incomes, or achieve sustainable economic development.
“This is why the work of WAVE is so timely and important’’.
He pointed out that transboundary plant pests and diseases such as Fall Armyworm, Cassava Brown Streak Disease, Banana Bunchy Top Virus, and Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease continue to threaten productivity, livelihoods, and trade across the region.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security also said that climate change is accelerating their spread and making early detection and coordinated response more urgent than ever.
“Paragraph 14 of the Abuja Declaration calls on all Member States to domesticate regional protocols on plant health and to invest in digital surveillance systems. Today’s unveiling directly responds to that call.
“the Declaration further outlines specific actions for Member States, including strengthening surveillance and early warning systems for pests and diseases, and promoting Integrated Pest Management practices to reduce reliance on chemicals.
‘’It also calls for expanding diagnostic and laboratory capacities, improving emergency response mechanisms for transboundary pests and diseases and supporting research, innovation, and collaboration with regional and international partners.
“The tool will enable governments to make faster, evidence-based decisions during disease outbreaks and to deploy limited resources more effectively through targeted interventions.
“By strengthening early warning and emergency response systems for transboundary pests and diseases, the platform also supports the growth of digital agriculture and data-driven policy making across the region’’, he stated.
He disclosed that Nigeria has been selected as the demonstration case for the tool, reflecting the country’s commitment to modernising agriculture and strengthening pest surveillance systems.
The Minister acknowledged the valuable partnership with the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) and the many national, regional, and international institutions that continue to invest in strengthening plant health systems across the continent.
He further emphasised that protecting plant health is not solely the responsibility of governments, stating that “It requires the active participation of researchers, universities, extension workers, development partners, private sector organisations, farmer associations and local communities.”
The Minister reiterated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s commitment to building a resilient, productive, and technology-driven agricultural sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He commended the WAVE Programme, National Plant Protection Organisations, development partners, donor agencies, researchers, farmer organisations, and the organising committee for their dedication.
Dr Abdullahi officially revealed the WAVE Research Logo, described as a symbol of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration and resilience.
Welcoming participants, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, said that the challenges posed by transboundary pests and plant diseases know no national boundaries.
“Our response must therefore be collective, coordinated, science-driven and sustained.” He added.
