President Bola Tinubu says his administration will remove all barriers confronting Nigeria’s agricultural potential, particularly in livestock production, in a push towards food sovereignty and global exports.
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‎Tinubu made the pledge at a bilateral meeting with the Brazilian President, Lula da Silva, on Saturday at the Copacabana Forte in Brazil.
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This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
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According to the president, excessive bureaucracy had delayed progress in agriculture, and Nigeria was undertaking reforms to make the sector globally competitive.
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‎He described agriculture as a key area where Nigeria holds a natural competitive advantage that can be unlocked through smart partnerships.
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‎Tinubu assured Brazil that all technical bottlenecks in bilateral agreements would be removed to fast-track trade, energy, mining, and agricultural cooperation.
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‎”All technicalities in agreements between the two countries will be streamlined and fast-tracked in trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, mining, and natural resources exploration,” Tinubu said.
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‎He praised Brazil’s agricultural research leadership, calling the South American giant a model in food production and export.
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Speaking ‎on livestock, the president said Nigeria was scaling up investments in poultry, fisheries, and cattle rearing to boost food supply and job creation.
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‎He stated further that Nigeria’s blue economy offered strong potential for long-term collaboration with Brazil in marine and aquatic resources.
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‎The Nigerian leader called for immediate action, stating that both federal and state governments must act swiftly to drive food production nationwide.
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‎He stressed that state governments play a critical role in turning agriculture into a major source of employment and national revenue.
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‎Da Silva echoed Tinubu’s urgency, promising to regularise and update all agreements when Tinubu visits Brazil again.
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‎He called for the removal of bureaucracy and promised Brazil’s institutions would collaborate with Nigeria to improve livestock farming systems.
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‎Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to food security through strategic global and local partnerships.
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‎Kyari pointed to Nigeria’s edge in fertiliser production as a ready-made asset for agricultural growth.
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Also, Minister of Livestock Development, ‎Idi Maiha, identified three priority areas for Brazil-Nigeria cooperation; animal health, sanitation, and genetic research.
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