Nigeria Seeks Investment to Boost Agricultural Potential

At the Nigeria-UK Investment Forum held in London, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, called for investment partnerships to unlock the country's agricultural potential. Kyari highlighted Nigeria's diverse agro-ecological zones and competitive agricultural products, noting that agriculture contributes 24% to the nation's GDP and employs nearly 70% of its labor force.

He pointed out the significant risks posed by climate change, including prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall, which threaten food security. The minister underscored the need for climate-resilient agricultural practices and the importance of public financing to attract private investment.

Despite existing credit schemes, access to finance remains a major constraint for farmers, with total credit access limited to 3-4 trillion Naira as of April 2025. The government has initiated several programs to support smallholder farmers, including the distribution of solar-powered irrigation pumps and the development of drought-tolerant crop varieties.