Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has officially launched the Agricultural Sector Working Group (ASWG) aimed at strengthening food security, improving nutrition, and fostering sustainable agricultural development throughout the continent.
During the inaugural and inception meeting of the committee held recently at Rock View Hotel in Abuja, the Minister emphasized the necessity of ongoing engagement with key stakeholders to cultivate innovative solutions, enhance collaboration, and formulate effective policies.
He remarked, “By facilitating structured dialogue and leveraging shared expertise, we can tailor our policies, programs, and projects to address the current and future challenges facing agriculture and food security.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s significant role within the global agricultural landscape, he stated, “It is essential that we create a sustainable and organized platform that not only assesses our performance but also seeks alternative strategies to close existing gaps.”
The ASWG is envisioned as a vital mechanism for monitoring progress, enhancing accountability, and galvanizing collective action towards achieving shared agricultural objectives.
Sen. Kyari will serve as the team lead and Chairperson, supported by Hon. Minister of State Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and his ministerial colleagues, with the Permanent Secretary in the role of Secretary.
He outlined the group’s primary responsibilities, which include providing advisory services and policy initiatives to promote the sustainable growth and development of the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Additionally, the ASWG will facilitate the implementation of the resolutions from the African Union Heads of State regarding agrifood system transformation, in alignment with the 2025 Kampala Declaration.
The Minister urged the group to convene quarterly to evaluate sector performance, identify gaps, and propose alternatives aimed at driving sustainable growth.
He stressed the importance of adhering to principles of inclusiveness, transparency, prioritization, and partnership to achieve collective transformation of the agrifood system in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, highlighted concerns raised during the Malabo Agenda discussions in Kampala in January 2025.
He noted that the continent is not on track to meet the objectives of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), which aims to reduce poverty and enhance food security by 2025.
Mr. Edun stated, “This concern, alongside the significant threats to the African agrifood system, prompted the creation of the post-Malabo agenda discussed earlier this year.
It aligns with one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s key objectives: to ensure food production, food security, and to make food available and affordable for Nigerians.”
He emphasized the necessity for institutional adaptation, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to fully developing the agricultural sector value chain.
In his remarks, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, reiterated the importance of the ASWG in promoting collaboration, policy alignment, and coordinated actions among government institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders.
He pointed out the pressing challenges we face—ranging from food security issues to climate change adaptation and agricultural transformation—which require a unified response.
The ASWG is positioned as a strategic mechanism to address these challenges.
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A key highlight of the event was a presentation by Mr. Christopher Mensah, representing the ECOWAS Commission, who provided an overview of the CAADP/Maputo and Malabo frameworks, along with insights on CAADP progress, Malabo achievements, and the way forward for ECOWAS and its member states.
Attendees included the Hon. Minister of Livestock Development, representatives from the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Marine and Blue Economy, the President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the President of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, as well as representatives from IFAD, AGRA, NACCIMA, FAO, ActionAid, and various directors from the Ministry.
This information is contained in a statement issued and signed by Eremah Anthonia (Mrs.), Chief Information Officer, on behalf of the Director of Information in the Ministry.
