The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria is making notable progress in agricultural development through the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP).
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, stated this in Abuja on Monday during the validation workshop for the 2022–2024 Agricultural Joint Sector Review Reports and the 3rd National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (2025–2027).
Ogunbiyi explained that CAADP, adopted in 2003 by African Union (AU) leaders, provides a roadmap for accelerating growth and transformation in Africa’s agricultural sector.
He noted that Nigeria has taken concrete steps towards meeting CAADP goals, including the inauguration of an Agricultural Sector Working Group to coordinate efforts across the agrifood value chain.
According to him, the country has also committed substantial investments in the sector, such as the establishment of Special Agro-Processing Zones in Kaduna, Cross River, and Oyo States.
“These initiatives aim to boost productivity, strengthen commodity value chains, create jobs, and improve livelihoods,” he said.
Ogunbiyi further highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Mechanisation Programme, launched in June 2025, which targets cultivation of over 550,000 hectares of farmland, production of more than two million metric tons of staple food, and the creation of jobs for youths and women.
He added that the National Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA) is being repositioned to expand land preparation for farming, while the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) is supporting production, research, and training.
Also speaking, Ibrahim Tanimu, Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, said the validation workshop would enable stakeholders to reflect on progress, share insights, and chart the way forward for Nigeria’s agrifood system.
It was reported that the review will assess Nigeria’s performance against CAADP targets, focusing on transparency and accountability. The outcome is expected to guide investments, identify funding gaps, and attract private sector and development partner interventions.
