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In a bid to position the agriculture sector as the backbone of economic growth and food security, the federal government has declared an urgent shift from subsistence farming to a fully industrialised agribusiness sector.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape into a thriving agribusiness sector, positioning the country as a major player in regional and global food markets.
The minister, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a Presidential Roundtable on Agribusiness organized by the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), emphasized that the current administration is treating agriculture not as a social program but as a high-value economic enterprise capable of lifting millions out of poverty and driving national prosperity.
“The state of emergency on food security is not just symbolic; it’s a call to action. Food security is national security,” Kyari declared, stressing the need for private sector-led investment, mechanization, and large-scale value addition.
“The government is leveraging Nigeria’s 200-million-strong domestic market and access to 1.4 billion consumers under AfCFTA to position the country as Africa’s agribusiness hub. Nigeria is one of the most attractive agribusiness destinations,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senior Special Assistant on Agribusiness Kingsley Uzoma highlighted that mechanization, improved access to credit, and youth engagement in agriculture is central to achieving year-round food production and price stability.
“With increased food production, commodity prices are expected to fall in the coming weeks,” Uzoma assured, addressing rising concerns over food inflation.
Uzoma, while launching the Agribusiness Productivity Enhancement and Management Office, said the launch signifies the beginning of an era of strategic intervention and targeted coordination with measurable impact in the agricultural sector.
President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Arch. Kabir Ibrahim, reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to supporting the administration’s efforts in ensuring food security.
He commended the government’s focus on mechanisation, year-round farming, and access to credit for farmers through the capitalization of the Bank of Agriculture.
“Our efforts in deploying mechanisation and strengthening extension systems are already yielding visible results. There is a clear focus on attracting youth into agriculture, boosting production, and creating wealth while ensuring food security,” Ibrahim stated.
The Director-General of NABG, Jafar Umar, in his welcome address, described the roundtable as the beginning of a transformational dialogue, bridging gaps between policy and private sector realities.
“Through structured engagements like this, we aim to align policies, strengthen agribusiness competitiveness, and position Nigeria as a leading player in regional food markets,” he said.
The Senior Program Officer for Agriculture at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commended members of the NABG for setting up a Commodity Aggregation Group, especially for their work in Argungu, where they are organising rice farmers and providing them with quality seeds and fertiliser.
He urged NABG to catalyse innovative farmer empowerment schemes for other farmers, adding that the group should also use its platform to accelerate the adoption of fortification to tackle micronutrient deficiencies among Nigerians, especially children.