President Bola Tinubu has said his administration is committed to dismantling all barriers impeding the full potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
These he said include livestock production, with the ultimate goal of achieving national food sovereignty and boosting exports.
He made the assurance during a bilateral meeting held at Copacabana Forte with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva and members of both countries’ cabinets.
The former governor of Lagos State emphasised to the Brazilian delegation that excessive bureaucracy often contributes to delays in harnessing the agricultural sector’s vast capabilities.
He highlighted that Nigeria is currently undergoing significant reforms aimed at re-positioning its economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where the nation already possesses a strong advantage.
The Nigerian leader stated that all existing technicalities within agreements between Nigeria and Brazil would be streamlined and fast-tracked.
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These areas of cooperation include trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, as well as mining and natural resources exploration.
President Tinubu lauded Brazil’s exemplary research and development in agriculture, recognizing it as a leading global producer of food and agricultural commodities.
Regarding livestock farming, he outlined his administration’s initiatives to attract investments in poultry, cattle rearing, and fisheries.
Also, Tinubu pointed to the blue economy as a promising area for long-term collaboration between the two nations, affirming Nigeria’s readiness for robust partnership and immediate action to enhance food production.
He underscored the pivotal role of Nigeria’s sub-national governments in food and animal production, emphasising their complementary efforts to the federal government’s drive to leverage agriculture as a major source of employment and resource mobilization.
However, President Lula Da Silva assured that all agreements with Nigeria would be regularized and existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) would be updated and signed without delay during President Tinubu’s next visit.
Da Silva concurred on the necessity of removing lingering bureaucratic hurdles between the two countries to achieve swift results.
He further pledged that Brazil’s research and development institutions would collaborate with Nigeria to advance livestock farming.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reiterated President Tinubu’s consistent focus on achieving food security for Nigeria.
He stated that this mandate would be realised through both local and global partnerships, noting Nigeria’s competitive advantage in fertilizer production, which he believes can be easily enhanced.
More so, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, identified three key areas for partnership with Brazil: animal health and disease management, sanitary services, and research into genetic materials and new breeds.
