A New Dawn for Nigerian Agriculture: VP Shettima Unveils Bold Reforms
By: Abudu Olalekan
So, here’s the deal. The Federal Government dropped a bombshell on Tuesday. They rolled out a bunch of new incentives to get folks investing in agriculture. The goal? Create a whopping 21 million jobs across the country. Pretty ambitious, right?
Vice President Kashim Shettima spilled the beans at the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s National and Subregional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Abuja. He didn’t beat around the bush. He called hunger “the great equaliser” that shows just how fragile our existence can be.
Now, let’s talk specifics. The VP’s team, led by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, laid out the plans in a statement. They’re talking about single-window platforms for land registration, beefing up agricultural credit systems, large-scale mechanisation, and some serious irrigation projects.
Why the big push? Well, food prices are skyrocketing, and climate change is throwing curveballs left and right. Nigeria’s been under pressure to cut down on imports and tackle food insecurity. The fuel subsidy removal and currency reforms in 2023 didn’t help matters, deepening inflation and making life tougher for everyone.
Shettima didn’t hold back. He said Nigeria has the potential to irrigate over three million hectares of farmland but is only using a fraction of that. “Strategic investment in irrigation alone could triple yields, free us from seasonal dependency, and fortify our resilience against climate shocks,” he said.
He didn’t stop there. He talked about how food isn’t just about survival; it’s about global security. He painted a picture of a Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry, where rural communities are hubs of wealth creation, and where agriculture is the backbone of prosperity.
But it’s not just talk. Shettima assured investors that regulatory reforms, public-private partnerships, and agri-tech innovations are on the table. “Nigeria is open for business,” he declared. “Let’s work hand-in-hand to build a Nigeria and a sub-region where agriculture is the true foundation of our prosperity.”
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, chimed in, highlighting Nigeria’s unique opportunities for investors. He talked about the domestic market, large arable land, and the growing digital economy. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the untapped economic potential in agriculture and irrigation.
Even international players were impressed. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security of The Gambia, Dr Demba Sabally, commended Nigeria’s leadership in agriculture. He pointed to success stories in the rice and cassava value chains as examples for other countries to follow.
The FAO representative, Dr Hussein Gadain, praised Nigeria’s clear agricultural development priorities. He described them as catalysts for transformative and sustainable growth within Africa’s agri-food systems. He also commended VP Shettima’s commitment and visionary leadership.
The Head of the EU Delegation in Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, echoed the sentiment, saying the Hand-in-Hand Initiative reflects Nigeria’s strong commitment to food security and investment across the agribusiness value chain. He declared the EU’s long-term partnership with Nigeria and their commitment to investing in value chain development.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Farmers aren’t just sitting back and waiting for the government to deliver. They’re urging the government to back up these new farm incentives with action. The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Kebram, stressed the need for follow-through. “Definitely, it will boost if they are implemented,” he said. “But unless you implement it very well, you cannot see the results.”
The Chairman of the Competitive African Rice Forum, Peter Dama, cautioned against a “cycle of promises without delivery.” He pointed out that pronouncements are different from implementation. “We are still hoping that the pronunciations will be met with practicality,” he said.
The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) had some harsh words. They faulted the government’s agricultural interventions, saying they’ve failed to improve food production. The National Secretary of SWOFON, Chinasa Asonye, said government efforts have not translated into meaningful impact for smallholder women farmers. She decried the government’s inability to meet the 10 per cent budgetary allocation to agriculture recommended under the Malabo Declaration.
So, what’s next? Well, the government has a lot of work to do. They need to back up these bold reforms with action. Farmers are watching, and they’re not afraid to speak up. The future of Nigerian agriculture hangs in the balance, and it’s up to the government to deliver on their promises.
