President Bola Tinubu has promised to remove all barriers limiting growth in Nigeria’s Agricultural sector including challenges in livestock production, to ensure food sovereignty and enhance export opportunities.
During a bilateral meeting at Copacabana Forte with Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva and members of both nations’ cabinets, President Tinubu identified bureaucracy as a major hindrance causing delays in unlocking the agricultural sector’s full potential.
The President told the Brazilian leader and delegation that Nigeria is reforming its economy to boost global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it holds a competitive edge.
President Tinubu declared that all technical facets of the agreements between Nigeria and Brazil, including those pertaining to trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, mining, and natural resource exploration, would be simplified and expedited,
Top producers
According to Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu stated that Brazil’s research and development services were exemplary for most countries, with the country ranking among the top producers of food and agricultural products.
The President emphasised his administration’s initiatives to increase investments in fisheries, poultry, and cattle rearing.
He also mentioned that the blue economy offers Nigeria and Brazil the possibility of forming long-term alliances.
President Tinubu further announced that Nigeria was ready for a strong partnership and immediate action to stimulate food production.
The Niferian Leader added that the subnationals have a pivotal role in food and animal production in Nigeria by complementing the federal government’s efforts to use agriculture as a significant source of employment and resource mobilisation.
President Lula assured that all agreements with Nigeria would be regularised, and the MOUs would be updated and signed without delay during President Tinubu’s next visit.
Quick results
Da Silva noted that the lingering bureaucracy between the two countries must be removed to achieve quick results, explaining that Brazil’s research and development institutions will collaborate with Nigeria to enhance livestock farming.
The Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated that President Tinubu had consistently insisted on food security for Nigeria, and the mandate would be actualised through local and global partnerships.
Kyari noted that Nigeria already had a competitive advantage in fertiliser production that could easily be enhanced.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, highlighted three areas of partnership with Brazil, including health and disease management, sanitary services, and research into genetic materials and new breeds.
Bilateral meeting
The governors of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia; Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago; Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori; and Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, attended the bilateral meeting.
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, stated that the sub-nationals would support the federal government’s framework to revamp the agricultural sector.
Abiodun noted that both leaders’ decision to include a business forum during President Tinubu’s state visit to the country will inject fresh ideas and resources, enabling quick results in turning around Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, also participated in the bilateral meeting.
Lateefah Ibrahim