Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agri-food system through stronger collaboration, institutional reforms, science-driven agriculture and increased private-sector investment.

‎He made the declaration at the 2nd Biannual Meeting of the Agrifood Systems Working Group (ASWG), organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja.

‎Bagudu said the Federal Government remains focused on achieving food security, reducing poverty and improving livelihoods through sustainable agricultural development.

He noted that the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026–2035 aligns with Nigeria’s drive to build a resilient and inclusive food system, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set an ambitious target of lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.

The minister described food security as a national development priority, noting that agriculture is a shared responsibility of the Federal, State and Local Governments.

He revealed that Nigeria has more than 42 million agricultural households, most of them smallholder farmers, and stressed that improving their productivity and profitability is critical to boosting food production, reducing poverty and driving economic growth.

According to Bagudu, the Tinubu administration has introduced key institutional reforms to strengthen the agricultural value chain, including the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the transfer of fisheries to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The Minister added that government is also expanding support for the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to improve agricultural financing, land development and climate-resilient farming.

The minister said agriculture should no longer be viewed as the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stressing that meaningful transformation requires the active involvement of science, technology, finance, research institutions, women, youth and the private sector. He added that adopting innovation and modern technology would increase productivity, improve profitability and attract more investment into the sector.

‎Bagudu also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address challenges affecting Nigeria’s food systems, including rising fertiliser and energy costs linked to global conflicts, trade distortions caused by subsidised imports and security concerns that have disrupted farming in some parts of the country.

He, however, noted that improved security has enabled many communities, particularly in the North-East, to resume farming activities with better harvests.

‎The minister expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, the private sector and farming communities would strengthen Nigeria’s agri-food system.

He said coordinated efforts would enhance food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods and support long-term economic growth and national prosperity.