Nigeria has commenced the second phase of the review of its agricultural laws to replace obsolete provisions and develop a modern legal framework capable of strengthening food sovereignty and attracting investment.
The Director of Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Hafsat Belgore, disclosed this at a retreat in Abuja.
Belgore, who was represented by the Assistant Legal Adviser in the Ministry, Manbyen Mamvong, explained that the first phase of the review had identified obsolete provisions, regulatory gaps and overlapping mandates across the agricultural sector.
READ ALSO: Food Security: Nigerian government to review agricultural laws
She said the second phase would validate the findings, develop reform proposals and incorporate sector-specific inputs while aligning the review with the Renewed Hope Agenda and international best practices.
The Director urged stakeholders to provide frank, constructive and forward-looking contributions, assuring them that their inputs would be captured and translated into robust legal drafts that reflected current realities.
The Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production Services, Bello Ka’oje, represented by the Deputy Chairman, Kelechi Nwogu, described the review of 18 agricultural laws as crucial to keeping Nigeria’s agricultural framework relevant.
A Consultant and Lead Partner Lawyer, Mr Emeka Ogenyi, explained that the retreat would harmonise approved amendments before their submission to the Ministry of Justice, creating coherent laws to support sustainable agricultural development and investment.
The review addresses emerging challenges, including climate change, mechanisation, agricultural technology, private-sector investment and food systems transformation, which the Ministry says require appropriate and responsive legislation.
Participants at the retreat included members of the National Assembly, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry directors, agricultural agencies, legal experts and other stakeholders involved in developing the proposed amendments.
