The Nigerian Government has entered into an agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), committing over $158 million (approximately £126 million) to support smallholder farmers across nine states in northern Nigeria.
The agreement was signed during a meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by governors and deputy governors from the northern region.
The eight-year initiative was developed after Vice President Shettima’s appeal at the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment in Rome on 24 July 2023, requesting IFAD to expand its involvement in Nigeria and bring in additional partners to support agricultural transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The project aims to sustainably reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable rural communities in Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
At the signing ceremony, Vice President Shettima stated that the agreement reflects President Tinubu’s administration’s promise to tackle poverty, empower farmers, and ensure food security.
“This investment of $158.15 million—co-financed by IFAD, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Nigerian Government, and other partners—underscores our commitment to people, productivity, and prosperity,” Shettima said.
He described the initiative as a “declaration of faith” in northern Nigeria’s potential, not as a region of scarcity, but of opportunity. He also linked it with ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), saying the programme would supply raw materials to feed these zones.
“This synergy will help us transition from raw produce exports to exporting value-added goods, creating jobs and industrial stability,” he noted.
Shettima warned of the risks posed by global trade disruptions and urged Nigeria to grow its own food and produce what it trades.
He also highlighted the programme’s focus on marginalised groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returnees, especially in conflict-affected areas, stating that agriculture can serve as a path to peace and rehabilitation.
Digital tools, he said, would be used to monitor every phase—“from farmer registration to yield analysis”—to ensure transparency and impact in regions plagued by unemployment and insecurity.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the financing deal as a major step in reshaping Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. He emphasised the importance of state and federal collaboration for inclusive agricultural development.
Governors of Borno, Jigawa, and Katsina praised the leadership of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima and reaffirmed their commitment to the programme’s success. They also encouraged adjustments to the implementation design and timeline to maximise impact.
IFAD Country Director, Mrs Dede Ekoue, said the programme targets approximately 3.1 million people, focusing on climate-smart agriculture, technological innovation, post-harvest value addition, support for youth and women agri-preneurs, financial services access, and digital productivity solutions.
She highlighted expected outcomes, including over 30,000 new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as the construction of 229km of rural roads to improve market access.
Mrs Ekoue praised Nigeria’s leadership and called for strong collaboration among all stakeholders to realise the programme’s objectives in the national interest.