President Bola Tinubu has assured that Nigeria will remove all bottlenecks hindering the realisation of the agricultural sector’s potential, including livestock production, to enable food sovereignty and export.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Tinubu gave the assurance in Brazil on Saturday.
“In a bilateral meeting held at the Copacabana Forte with Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, Brazilian President and some members of both countries’ cabinets, President Tinubu noted that bureaucracy contributes to delays in realising the agricultural sector’s potential,” Onanuga wrote on his official X account.
“The President informed the Brazilian leader and delegation that Nigeria was already undergoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it already has a competitive advantage.
“President Tinubu stated that all technicalities in agreements between the two countries will be streamlined and fast-tracked in trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, mining, and natural resources exploration.”
Onanuga said the President stated that Brazil’s research and development services had been exemplary for most countries, with the country being one of the highest producers of food and agricultural products.
On livestock farming, he said Tinubu highlighted the efforts of his administration to boost investments in poultry, cattle rearing, and fisheries, adding that the blue economy also holds potential for long-term partnerships between Nigeria and Brazil.
Tinubu also said that Nigeria was ready for a strong partnership and immediate action to stimulate food production.
According to Onanuga, the President said 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, Onanuga said, 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.
Da Silva noted that the lingering bureaucracy between the two countries must be removed to achieve quick results, adding that Brazil’s research and development institutions will collaborate with Nigeria to enhance livestock farming.
Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture, 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.
Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development, highlighted three areas of partnership with Brazil, including health and disease management, sanitary services, and research into genetic materials and new breeds.
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.
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.
Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mohammed Mohammed, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), also participated in the bilateral meeting.
