The Nigerian Government has called for a more robust partnership with the United Nations to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who welcomed visiting United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina Mohammed, to Nigeria, highlighted the crucial role that the United Nations has played in Nigeria’s development.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome our sister, Dr Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General to Nigeria to discuss the mutual partnership Nigeria has with the United Nations in the agriculture and food security sector and our efforts towards delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, as well as our strategies of operations over the next four years,” the minister stated.
He emphasised the importance of this partnership, given Nigeria’s large population and the growing demand for food security.
“As you know, with our large population and growing demand for food security, Nigeria’s partnership with the United Nations is critical to meet the attendant huge consumption demand in the immediate and long-term plan of action,” Kyari said.
He noted the alignment of the ministry’s mandate with the key priorities of President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, which includes food security, economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication.
The minister also acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between Nigeria and various UN organisations, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the United Nations Development Programme.
According to him, Nigeria’s commitment to this partnership is further demonstrated through its financial contributions to these organisations.
“Nigeria has been working with these International partners and paying statutory contributions and counterpart funds to FAO, IFAD, UNDP, UNIDO, ILO, WFP, IOM, among others to increase food production, and encourage multilateral institutions to support the Nigerian food system resilience with sustainable interventions in the agriculture sector,” Kyari said.
“Currently, the ministry would appreciate further support on the Value Chain Development Programme, Value Chain North targeted at increasing food production in the northern part of Nigeria,” he added.
Responding, Mohammed stated the critical situation facing Nigeria and noted that the crisis in Nigeria is exacerbated by multiple factors, including domestic challenges and global disruptions.
“We are looking at those that are affected most, and food security is it, smallholder farmers that have been displaced,” Mohammed stated.
She pointed out that the UN is actively involved in planning efforts to address the needs of displaced populations while simultaneously tackling security issues in Nigeria.
