The Nigerian Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) among other United Nation (UN) agencies in Nigeria have reaffirmed commitment to inclusive, climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
Speaking at the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4) High-Level Side Event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, themed: “Catalyzing Change: Showcasing Nigeria’s Innovations and Collaborations in Food Systems Transformation,” the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, said Nigeria’s strategy has been backed by robust international partnerships with institutions including the African Development Bank, IFAD, FAO, UNICEF, GIZ, and WFP, among others.
According to him, the side event is not just a dialogue but a call to collective, catalytic, impactful and sustained action in rejiggling strategic efforts and approach to food systems transformation not only in Nigeria but in the region, continent and the entire planet.
He said, “Today’s Event is a moment to reaffirm Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to building food systems that are not only productive and efficient, but also inclusive, climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive, and anchored on sustainability and alignment with our regional and global Agenda including AU Agenda 2063; CAADP Malabo and the Kampala Declaration in pursuit of achievement of the global UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“Since the inaugural UN Food Systems Summit in 2021, Nigeria has moved with deliberate intent to implement the 78 priority actions and recommendations that will change the narrative of our Food Systems that was presented and submitted as our National Food Systems Transformation Pathways.
“Our actions have been guided by four overarching priorities: aggressive Agrifood Systems Transformation that is guided by job creation, improved nutrition, climate adaptation and climate smart and resilience building.
“We have mainstreamed food systems transformation into our national development agenda with all the 36 States plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) working together, established strong coordination mechanisms across all the 36 States plus FCT on Geo-political Zonal basis, all relevant sectors at both Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (private sector, youth and women groups as well as all other stakeholders) with embedded accountability at all levels.”
The minister said the government has embraced innovation as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s journey.
“Innovation: whether in policy, financing, technology, or partnerships, has been the driver of our progress. Guided by the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), we are creating a modern, technology-driven agricultural landscape that prioritizes mechanization, digital solutions, and climate-smart practices.
“Through digital agriculture platforms such as the National Agriculture Growth Scheme (NAGS), we are leveraging technology to expand access to inputs, credit, extension services, and market linkages for smallholder farmers.
“Building on this foundation of digital and policy innovation, we are now scaling industrial transformation across the agricultural value chain. Our push for agro-industrialization has gained momentum through the rollout of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Islamic Development Bank, and other partners. These zones are designed to create modern, integrated value chains that drive rural transformation, reduce post-harvest losses, and attract private sector investment to key agricultural corridors.
“However, we recognize that industrial transformation must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability and resilience. We are therefore scaling climate-smart agriculture, including regenerative land use, early warning systems, and resilient seed varieties—especially in climate-vulnerable regions like the Sahel. Nigeria is not only adapting to climate risks; we are positioning ourselves as a champion of climate-resilient food systems across Africa.
“Equally important is the human dimension of this transformation. Our youth and women are not on the sidelines. They are at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of Nigeria’s agrifood systems. Through a nationwide digital mapping initiative, we have identified and engaged young men and women across all 36 states and the FCT, equipping a new generation of agri-preneurs and empowering women as leaders in agri-food transformation,” he added.
Speaking on international partnerships, Kyari said these collaborations amplify Nigeria’s capacity to drive transformative, inclusive, and resilient food systems.
In his words: “We are especially proud of our partnerships with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Care International, Nutrition International, Alliance for Local Food and Nutrition Supply Chain in Africa (Alliance Africa), the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), African Development Bank (AfDB), and the European Union (EU), among others.
“Through programmes such as the Livelihood Improvement for Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), and other inclusive initiatives, we are making agriculture attractive and profitable.
“At all levels of government, inclusiveness is a key priority. In pursuit of this, we have launched over 9,000 pieces of agricultural equipment, including 2,000 tractors and more than 7,000 other agri-food systems equipment, to modernize farming and create opportunities for youth-led mechanized agriculture. It suffices to say that these advances have been made possible through our strong collaboration with our development partners, development institutions, private sector, civil society, academia, youth and women group in Agrifood Systems.
“This has also enabled the Government of Nigeria to advance Nigeria’s food systems transformation by strengthening governance structures, supporting evidence-based policymaking, and improving nutrition outcomes.”
In her Keynote address, Ms Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director, Nigeria said in line with the National Agricultural Technology And Innovation Policy (NATIP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is supporting the government of Nigeria in digital innovation for agriculture.
According to her, “In this process, IFAD is championing policy dialogue on digitalization of agriculture including mobilizing key actors for the development of a government-led National Digital Farmers Registry (NDFR) and scaling up the use of digital innovation in all FGN-IFAD projects in line with Nigeria-IFAD Digital Innovation Action Plan (DIAP).
“These efforts are aligned with the vision of the government to leverage digital solutions in support of agri-food systems to enhance targeting to transparency and to scaleup to extension services, market information systems, climate information and financial services and to enhance the effectiveness of government assistance to vulnerable farmers.”
Speaking on behalf of the United Nation (UN) agencies in Nigeria, Ekoue said in line with national priorities of Nigeria and leveraging the leadership of the Nigerian Government in transforming food systems, the United Nations supported the Government of Nigeria in initiating several innovations and transformative partnerships as a follow up to the UNFSS+2 in July 2023.
“In line with NATIP, IFAD and FAO in collaboration with the World Bank and AFDB and European Union are supporting the government in digital innovation for agriculture.
“Considering the strong national commitment for food system transformation and the strategic role of the UN in Nigeria in the agri-food systems, a UN joint program Agri-Food System Transformation and Innovation in Nigeria (AFTI) Programme has been approved by the UN to support the government in addressing the systemic challenges and aims to : 1) Strengthened governance of the National Food System Transformation Support Facility (NFSTSF), 2) Increased production, sales, and income generation for small-holder farmers through promotion of digital technologies in targeted areas, 3) Reduced Post-Harvest Losses using business to business (B2B) model and innovative technologies for market linkages, 4) Improved knowledge and behaviour on nutrition and healthy diets among women, adolescents, and children including smallholder farmers.
“One of the key innovative features is to boost partnership with private sector and development partners to scale up the transformation. This joint program is implemented by FAO, IFAD, WFP and UNICEF under the coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator and the leadership of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
On transforming fragility into opportunity, IFAD Nigeria CD, explained that in northern Nigeria, WFP, AFDB, and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) are leading an innovative approach that redefines food assistance as a springboard for resilience and recovery in fragile settings.
“The unique partnership together with the FGN, IFAD, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) approved the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN) offer an opportunity to leverage functional food system pockets amid conflict and fragile setting to build partnership including with government institutions, farmers organisations, private sector community development organisations to promote greater productivity, local procurement, inclusive finance, and structured, risk-informed investment, with the aim to revive markets, foster the economic and social empowerment of rural and fragile communities, and foster peace.”
