By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving national food security through a strategic partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
This move was announced during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed FAO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Gadain Hussein, to the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, in Abuja.
During the meeting, Prof. Utsev emphasized the dedication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improving food production across the country.
He referenced the declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security and the current administration’s efforts to attract investment into the agriculture sector and the broader food value chain.
He stated that the Ministry, through its Department of Irrigation and Drainage, is fully prepared to collaborate with FAO to achieve the goals outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security as a national objective.
The Minister noted that the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative and its upcoming Investment Summit in Abuja will offer a critical platform for aligning stakeholders and investors toward boosting agricultural productivity.
According to him, such collaborations are essential to fast-track national efforts to enhance food systems and achieve sustainable development goals.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, advised FAO to maintain close engagement with the Ministry to ensure effective implementation of the food security mandate of the Tinubu administration for the benefit of all Nigerians.
In his remarks, Dr. Hussein shared plans for the forthcoming FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative for the Sahel, which is themed “Investment in Irrigation and Water Resources” and will be held from September 16 to 18, 2025, in Abuja.
He highlighted the central role of the Ministry in the forum, especially considering that agriculture consumes approximately 90% of the country’s available water resources.
Dr. Hussein said the forum will serve as an opportunity for stakeholders to develop strategies, exchange ideas, and collaborate on targeted interventions in irrigation and other areas of food production.
He noted that the initiative will involve a mix of grant-based, loan-based, and capacity-building investment channels aimed at strengthening national food systems.
In addition to highlighting the importance of knowledge sharing and public-private partnerships, Dr. Hussein proposed the formation of a technical committee to work with the Ministry in designing a robust policy framework for long-term collaboration.
He pointed out the need to integrate key sectors such as crops, livestock, forestry, biodiversity, climate change, and food sustainability into the policy agenda.
Also present at the meeting were Engr. Mrs. Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi, Director of Irrigation and Drainage; and Engr. Hauwa Sadique Muhammed, Deputy Director and FAO Desk Officer in the Ministry.
The Federal Government’s partnership with FAO signals a renewed drive to align national efforts with global best practices and accelerate progress toward food security for all Nigerians.