Nigeria Seeks Investment for Climate-Smart Agriculture

The Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, is actively seeking investment to boost climate-smart agriculture. In a statement signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna Mondai, the government called on investors and financial institutions to collaborate in building resilient food systems and expanding sustainable agricultural production.

Kyari emphasized Nigeria's vast agricultural capacity, which employs nearly 70% of the country's labor force and contributes 24% to its GDP. However, he warned that climate change poses significant risks to food security, citing prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall as major threats.

The government has initiated several steps to address these challenges, including the declaration of a national state of emergency in food security by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2023 and the establishment of a Presidential Food System Coordinating Unit. Kyari also mentioned plans to distribute solar-powered irrigation pumps and develop climate-resilient seed systems.

The government aims to attract private investment to reduce risks in the agricultural sector.