The Federal Government has unveiled an investment-driven strategy to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector by promoting innovation, attracting private investment and strengthening collaboration among government institutions and development partners to boost food production and reduce poverty.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this during the second Biannual Meeting of the Agrifood Systems Working Group organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja.
Bagudu described agriculture as a critical driver of economic growth, job creation and food security, stressing that achieving lasting transformation would require stronger partnerships among governments, farmers, researchers, financial institutions and private investors.
He said Nigeria’s implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026–2035 provides an opportunity to accelerate reforms that will strengthen the country’s food system and improve competitiveness.
According to the minister, the Tinubu administration aims to reduce poverty and expand economic opportunities through agriculture by 2030.
Bagudu noted that Nigeria’s agricultural sector is largely driven by more than 42 million smallholder farming families, adding that improving their access to finance, modern technology, quality inputs and reliable markets would increase productivity, raise incomes and strengthen the economy.
He said the Federal Government is restructuring key institutions to improve support for agriculture, including the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the transfer of fisheries to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and increased support for agencies such as the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).
The minister also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutes, development partners, women, young people and financial institutions to expand the adoption of modern farming technologies and improve agricultural productivity.
Bagudu described the private sector as the engine of agricultural growth, saying the government would continue implementing policies that encourage investment and enable agribusinesses to expand.
He also identified rising fertiliser and energy costs, as well as unfair international trade practices, as major challenges facing the sector, while expressing optimism that improved security in farming communities would support increased agricultural production and strengthen food security.