The Federal Government has announced a fresh package of measures designed to boost agricultural investment, tackle food insecurity, and create an estimated 21 million jobs nationwide.
Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed the initiative on Tuesday at the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s National and Subregional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Abuja. He described hunger as a “great equaliser,” stressing that securing food supply is vital to national stability and global security.
A statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, said the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, which prioritises rural employment, irrigation development, and better access to finance for farmers.
The government’s strategy features several reforms, including: A single-window platform to simplify land registration for agribusinesses, Expanded access to agricultural credit facilities, Large-scale mechanisation to boost productivity and Major irrigation projects to reduce dependence on rainfall.
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Shettima highlighted that Nigeria can irrigate more than three million hectares of farmland but currently utilises less than 10 percent of this capacity. He noted that targeted investment in irrigation could triple yields, enhance resilience against climate shocks, and reduce reliance on seasonal farming.
The announcement comes amid climbing food prices and climate pressures, which have intensified calls for long-term solutions to strengthen the agricultural sector. Officials explained that the initiative supports the goals of the 2021–2025 National Development Plan, which aims to lift 35 million people out of poverty while achieving food and nutrition security.
Shettima urged local and international investors to take advantage of the incentives, emphasising that agriculture is central not only to survival but also to economic growth and stability.
