By Abbas Nazil
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to eliminate all obstacles hindering Nigeria’s agricultural growth, with a focus on unlocking the country’s potential in livestock production and pushing towards food sovereignty and global exports.
The president made this pledge during a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Copacabana Forte in Brazil, as disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
Tinubu criticized the excessive bureaucracy that has hampered agricultural progress in Nigeria and stated that ongoing reforms aim to make the sector more efficient and competitive at the global level.
He emphasized that agriculture is a natural area of strength for Nigeria and expressed confidence that strategic international partnerships, such as with Brazil, could help unlock the sector’s full value chain.
The Nigerian president assured his Brazilian counterpart that all technical barriers impeding bilateral agreements, particularly in agriculture, mining, aviation, and energy, would be swiftly addressed.
He added that Nigeria is committed to fast-tracking agreements across key sectors to facilitate trade and development cooperation.
Tinubu praised Brazil’s success in agricultural research and food production, describing the South American country as a global model for agricultural excellence.
Focusing on livestock development, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s recent efforts to expand investment in poultry, fisheries, and cattle rearing as part of a broader push to increase food supply, create employment, and enhance rural livelihoods.
He also noted that the country’s emerging blue economy—centered on marine and aquatic resources—offers significant opportunities for long-term collaboration with Brazil.
The president underscored the urgency of action, calling on both federal and state governments to accelerate food production efforts.
He stressed that states play a pivotal role in converting agriculture into a sustainable driver of employment and national income.
Tinubu also emphasized the need for streamlined and harmonized policies to eliminate delays and maximize the impact of public-private initiatives.
In response, President da Silva echoed the call for swift and coordinated action.
He pledged to update and regularize bilateral agreements and committed Brazil’s institutions to collaborate with Nigeria in improving livestock farming systems.
He agreed that dismantling bureaucratic bottlenecks would benefit both nations and expedite shared agricultural goals.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, reiterated the government’s commitment to food security and agricultural transformation through robust partnerships.
He highlighted Nigeria’s comparative advantage in fertilizer production, calling it a critical asset for agricultural expansion.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, also outlined three priority areas for Brazil-Nigeria cooperation: animal health, sanitation, and genetic research.
The meeting underscored both countries’ shared resolve to build a resilient and productive agricultural sector through mutual cooperation and focused investment.
