The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has expressed its commitment to collaborate with the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG) in advancing food security, job creation and agricultural transformation across the country.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari made this known during a courtesy visit by the leadership of NABG, led by its President, Architect Kabiru Ibrahim to his office in Abuja.
Kyari emphasised that the ministry is fully prepared to translate shared aspirations with NABG into concrete outcomes that will benefit all Nigerians. “I am confident that our deliberations will open up new pathways for collaboration, innovation, and measurable impact in Nigeria’s food and agricultural ecosystem,” he stated.
He described NABG as a leading private sector platform and an umbrella organisation for agribusiness in Nigeria. The group, he noted, has played a crucial role in working collaboratively to grow the country’s agricultural economy, create employment and lift millions out of poverty.
The Minister highlighted the timeliness and strategic nature of the meeting, particularly in the context of implementing President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda. According to him, agriculture remains at the heart of the administration’s strategy to combat poverty, generate jobs and ensure food and nutrition security for Nigerians.
“To achieve these goals,” Kyari noted, “we need robust partnerships between government and the organised private sector. NABG stands out as a vital bridge in that endeavour.”
He outlined key areas of alignment between the ministry and NABG, including the strengthening of public-private partnerships to drive agribusiness development, supporting the implementation of critical agricultural policies such as the National Seed Policy, Dairy Policy, Tomato Policy and National Quality Policy. Other focus areas include fast-tracking approvals for strategic frameworks like the Agricultural Commodity Standards and Grading System, the Climate-Smart Agriculture Framework and the National Integrated Agribusiness Agenda.
Additionally, the minister stressed the importance of improving access to finance for farmers and agribusiness operators, as well as reviewing outcomes of the NABG Presidential Roundtable and related initiatives that align with the national vision.
He commended NABG’s dedication to increasing private sector involvement in policy formulation and implementation, adding that this aligns with the government’s objective of repositioning agriculture as a business rather than merely a developmental activity.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasised that agriculture represents the future of Nigeria. He encouraged NABG to work closely with government institutions at all levels to shape policy direction and push for regulatory reforms that will promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
In his remarks, NABG president, Arch. Kabiru Ibrahim reiterated the group’s commitment to working with stakeholders in the agriculture sector to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from its dependence on oil and gas, toward full-scale agricultural industrialisation. He acknowledged the critical role of the private sector as the engine of economic growth, while recognising the government’s role in creating an enabling environment for agribusiness to thrive.
A statement from the ministry’s director of information signed by Charity Ogbuagu noted that the event was rounded off with the presentation of souvenirs to both ministers by the NABG president.
