Nigeria Launches National Agricultural Development Fund

On July 29, 2026, during Nigeria's Country Session at the 9th Africa Agricultural Science Week in Abuja, the Federal Government announced the operationalization of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF). Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, stated that NADF represents a strategic shift in agricultural financing, aiming to connect scientific discovery with commercial application.

Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership, agriculture is central to Nigeria's economic renewal and food security agenda. Key investment areas include digital agriculture, mechanization, climate-smart production systems, and livestock development.

Kyari outlined five strategic priorities: strengthening scientific excellence, accelerating digital transformation, promoting commercialization, investing in human capital, and deepening partnerships with various organizations. He emphasized the importance of agricultural research as a national investment and mentioned that the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and National Agricultural Research Institutes are being repositioned with modern investments.

The focus will also include artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and digital technologies to create a competitive research system.