Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared open the Technical Session of the 47th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS) in Kaduna, aimed at achieving food sovereignty and revolutionizing the country’s agricultural ecosystem.
Speaking at the opening of the technical session, held at the Musa Yar’Adua Conference Hall, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the gathering would enable stakeholders to develop strategies that promote food sovereignty and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.
Dr. Ogunbiyi emphasized that the meeting’s theme, “Food Sovereignty and Food Security in an Era of Renewed Hope,” aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies agriculture as a central pillar of economic recovery and national transformation.
“This technical session serves as the council’s engine room where memoranda from states, partners, and the private sector are carefully reviewed to guide national agricultural policy,” Ogunbiyi explained.
“Our task in this session is not only to review memoranda but to build consensus — blending knowledge from policy, research, and practice into actionable strategies that will drive transformation across value chains.”
According to him, the process strengthens the credibility of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security by ensuring that its recommendations are inclusive, well-informed, and grounded in the realities of Nigeria’s diverse agricultural landscape.
He urged participants to assess what has worked, identify gaps, and chart new strategies for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. Ogunbiyi also called for experience sharing on innovations from across the states, especially in climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development, digital transformation, and extension reforms.
Dr. Ogunbiyi commended the participation and support of development partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WFP), African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, USAID, and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), whose technical and financial inputs have continued to strengthen Nigeria’s efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger.
“We must approach our deliberations with focus and a spirit of collaboration to achieve productive outcomes that will move Nigeria closer to food sovereignty and lasting food security,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Murtala Mohammad Dabo, said the state government and its people are delighted to host this crucial national dialogue on the future of agriculture — a sector that, he said, “binds every part of the country and sustains our communities.”
Dabo noted that the council has evolved beyond a mere policy platform into a forum for reflection, learning, and renewal where states share experiences, forge partnerships, and align strategies for national development.
“We are confident that this 47th Session will set new benchmarks in our pursuit of food security and agricultural transformation,” he stated.
The Commissioner further highlighted the efforts of Governor Uba Sani, describing his administration’s agricultural policy as one that views agriculture as a driver of opportunity, peace, and prosperity. He thanked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for entrusting Kaduna State with hosting the meeting, acknowledging the participation of delegates from all 36 states and the FCT.
In his remarks, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, said the theme of the session represents both a call to action and a shared national vision.
He stressed that achieving food sovereignty requires strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to produce what it consumes, reducing external dependence, and ensuring that every household has reliable access to safe and nutritious food.
“Our collective goal is to create an enabling environment that allows individuals and groups to engage productively across agricultural value chains,” he noted.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of memoranda from various project departments of the Ministry, State Agricultural Offices, and Research Institutes. Also in attendance were representatives from ActionAid, GIZ, International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), among others.
The Technical Session will precede the main Council Session scheduled later in the week, where resolutions from the discussions will be formally adopted to guide national agricultural policies in the coming year.
According to Eremah Antonia (Mrs.), Chief Information Officer, speaking on behalf of the Head, Department of Information, the event marks another milestone in Nigeria’s collective journey toward sustainable food systems and underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening food security across all regions of the country.
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