The Federal Government has announced sweeping reforms in the agricultural sector designed to transform food production, attract investment, and create millions of jobs across the country.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the announcement in Abuja on Wednesday during the opening of a three-day “Hand-in-Hand” investment forum organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Shettima explained that the reforms are aimed at lifting 35 million Nigerians out of poverty while creating at least 21 million jobs in rural and agrarian communities.
The Vice President emphasized that the government was determined to re-engineer agricultural policies in ways that would encourage both local and international investors to participate in Nigeria’s quest for food sufficiency.
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Among the measures outlined are the introduction of a single-window platform for land registration to simplify access for farmers and investors, strengthening agricultural credit systems to ease financing challenges, and expanding irrigation infrastructure to improve year-round farming.
According to Shettima, these steps are critical to unlocking Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential and ensuring sustainable growth in the sector.
He stressed that agriculture remained the backbone of Nigeria’s prosperity, noting that food production was not merely a matter of survival but also of global security.
“Nigeria is open for business, and we are ready to partner with stakeholders. Let us work hand in hand to build a Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry, where rural communities become hubs of wealth creation, and where agriculture serves as the true foundation of our prosperity,” he said.
The Vice President highlighted that the government’s vision for agriculture is anchored on the National Development Plan (2021–2025), which has set ambitious but realistic targets for job creation and poverty reduction.
He reiterated that securing national food and nutrition sufficiency was at the heart of government policies, while positioning agriculture as a driver of inclusive economic growth.
Shettima also described hunger as “the great equaliser,” warning that food insecurity poses not only humanitarian risks but also significant threats to global peace and stability.
He called on international partners, private sector players, and local communities to join forces in tackling the challenge.
“Hunger reveals our shared fragility and vulnerabilities as human beings. It is a matter of survival and a matter of global security. That is why the reforms we are unveiling today are urgent and deliberate, ensuring that every Nigerian has access to nutritious food while also creating livelihoods for millions of households,” he said.
The Vice President concluded by reaffirming the administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation through deliberate policies, public-private partnerships, and the use of technology to modernize farming practices.
With these reforms, the Federal Government hopes to reduce reliance on food imports, boost local productivity, and secure a future where agriculture contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economic stability and prosperity.
NAN
