The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has called for robust international investment in Nigeria’s agricultural and irrigation sectors, describing the country as the most promising destination for agricultural capital globally. His remarks came at the Opening Ceremony of the FAO National & Sub-Regional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum to Enhance Agricultural Investment in West Africa and the Sahel, where Vice President Kashim Shettima served as Special Guest of Honour.
Senator Bagudu emphasized that the forum aligns with the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and initiatives by the Vice President to boost Nigeria’s absorptive capacity and highlight the scale of investment needed to modernize agriculture and irrigation. He pointed out that while Nigeria has vast arable land and a youthful population, much of its agriculture remains rain-fed, limiting productivity. Expanded irrigation, he said, would enable farmers to achieve second and even third harvests, enhancing food security, employment, and sustainable economic growth.
The Minister also stressed the importance of modernizing aquaculture, noting that fishing communities currently rely on freshwater bodies with limited yields. Livestock development, a sector long underfunded, was highlighted as having transformative potential. The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, he said, is a strategic step toward making livestock a key driver of economic growth rather than a source of conflict.
Framing these challenges in the wider context of the Sahel, Senator Bagudu warned that persistent underinvestment has historically limited agricultural productivity in the region. He reaffirmed that Nigeria’s geography, demographic advantage, and scale make it the most profitable destination for agricultural and irrigation investment in West Africa and the Sahel.
The Minister commended the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for convening the forum and underscored the Nigerian government’s commitment to mobilizing global resources to ensure food security, job creation, and regional stability under the leadership of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.
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