The leadership of major Agricultural Commodity Associations in Nigeria gathered in Abuja for their first-ever joint meeting, where they reaffirmed a collective commitment to bolstering food security and driving national development through strategic collaboration.
The high-level meeting, held over the weekend, brought together key stakeholders from across the country, including Engr. Aminu Muhammad, President of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN); Anibe Achimugu, President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN); Bello Abubakar Anoor, President of the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN); and Dr. Florence Edwards, President of the Cotton Producers and Merchants Association of Nigeria (COPMAN).
Other prominent figures in attendance included Umar Muhammad Baba, President of the Soya Beans Farmers Association of Nigeria (SOFAN); Mustapha Othman B., President of the Nigeria Cassava Growers’ Association (NCGA); Abdulkadir Ibrahim Gaya, President of the National Association of Sorghum Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NASPPAM); Ado Sule, Director of Administration, NACOTAN; Umar Abdulkadir, Director of Administration and Finance, COPMAN; and Dr. Nasir Liman, Business and Finance Consultant.
In a communiqué signed by Engr. Aminu Muhammad on behalf of the leadership, the associations declared their unified resolve to formulate and implement strategic plans aimed at scaling up food production in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are united as a coalition representing millions of grassroots smallholder farmers. With over 21 agricultural commodities under our umbrella—including maize, sorghum, millet, cassava, cocoa, rice, cotton, groundnuts, palm oil, sugarcane, legumes, tree crops, and tomatoes—we are well-positioned to drive Nigeria’s agricultural transformation,” the statement read.
The associations highlighted their extensive presence across Nigeria, operating in 17,846 polling units, 8,909 wards, and all 774 Local Government Areas in the 36 states.
They underscored their critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when their coordination helped ensure food security in Nigeria despite global supply disruptions.
Their efforts, they noted, were instrumental in reducing Nigeria’s rice import bill by 95%, from $1.5 billion in 2015 to just $18.5 million in 2023.
Additionally, the associations have generated approximately 12.8 million direct and indirect jobs across various agricultural value chains, further strengthening Nigeria’s rural economy.
Beyond their economic contributions, the coalition emphasized their role in grassroots political mobilization and support for federal and state government initiatives at key moments in Nigeria’s development.
The joint leadership concluded by reaffirming their dedication to building sustainable food systems, empowering farmers, and contributing to national progress through unified action and strategic partnerships.
