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President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to breaking down the bureaucratic obstacles slowing Nigeria’s agricultural and livestock development. The goal, he says, is to achieve national food sovereignty, create jobs, and grow Nigeria’s capacity for agricultural exports.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at Copacabana Forte, Tinubu emphasized that excessive red tape has long delayed progress in the sector. The meeting, attended by top officials from both countries, focused on fostering strategic partnerships across agriculture, trade, and energy.
In a statement by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said reforms are already underway to reposition Nigeria’s economy with agriculture at the center. “All technicalities in agreements between Nigeria and Brazil will be streamlined and fast-tracked,” he noted, highlighting key areas of collaboration including food production, aviation, mining, and natural resources.
Tinubu commended Brazil for its remarkable success in agricultural innovation and food production. He said Nigeria hopes to replicate this success by partnering with Brazil to develop key sub-sectors like poultry, fisheries, and cattle rearing. He also stressed the importance of harnessing the blue economy Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources for long-term development.
According to the President, Nigerian state governments will play a vital role in complementing federal initiatives aimed at turning agriculture into a major economic growth engine.
In response, President Lula pledged to update and finalize all pending agreements with Nigeria during Tinubu’s next visit. He expressed readiness to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and encouraged stronger ties between Brazilian research institutions and Nigerian agriculture—especially in livestock farming.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, echoed the President’s commitment to food security. He highlighted Nigeria’s competitive edge in fertilizer production, suggesting it could be a strategic export opportunity through international collaboration.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, outlined three major areas of cooperation with Brazil: livestock disease management, sanitary services, and genetic research for developing new animal breeds.
Several state governors were present at the meeting, including Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos). Other top officials in attendance included Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar and NIA Director General Mohammed Mohammed.
Governor Abiodun voiced the states’ support for Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda. He also welcomed the inclusion of a business forum during the visit, saying it would introduce fresh ideas and investment into the sector, accelerating real results on the ground.
