The Federal Government, Oyo State Government, and the World Bank Group have launched the Nigeria AgriConnect Compact, a national initiative aimed at improving food security and creating jobs. The Compact was launched at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Oyo State, with government officials, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders in attendance. This initiative seeks to coordinate existing agricultural investments and programs.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stated that Nigeria has substantial resources invested in agriculture, but the challenge lies in ensuring that different interventions complement each other. He noted that the impact of investments can be reduced when implemented separately. The Compact aims to provide a framework for connecting existing investments and ensuring public resources produce greater results.
Kyari emphasized that the Compact is not about assembling new projects, but about connecting existing programs and closing gaps across agricultural value chains. The initiative will focus on strengthening agricultural production foundations, improving the policy and regulatory environment, and building a financial ecosystem to expand access to capital. Key areas include irrigation, mechanization, research, and agricultural finance.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, welcomed the launch, highlighting agriculture's central role in the state's economy. He noted that Nigeria has hardworking farmers, fertile land, and a large domestic market, but many farmers remain poor, and food prices are high. Makinde emphasized that increasing production alone cannot solve the country's agricultural challenges; agriculture must be treated as a complete economic system.
Makinde cited Oyo State's integrated approach to agribusiness, including investments in roads and the development of the Oyo State Agricultural Transformation Centre, Fasola. He stressed that research must move beyond the laboratory to the farm and market, and that the success of agricultural technology should be measured by its accessibility and impact on farmers.
Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, Board Chair of CGIAR, emphasized the importance of Nigeria's agricultural transformation to the wider African continent. He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, including government, development partners, researchers, and businesses. Dessalegn also urged stakeholders to make agriculture more attractive to young Nigerians and ensure women have full access to skills, technology, and markets.
The success of the Compact will depend on implementation and measurable impact, according to Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi. He noted that the initiative provides an opportunity to connect science, commerce, and finance. The Compact aims to create opportunities for young Nigerians across the agricultural value chain and offer a credible pathway to income, enterprise, and professional development.
Key points
- The Nigeria AgriConnect Compact aims to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve food security.
- The initiative will focus on coordinating existing investments and programs.
- The Compact seeks to create opportunities for young Nigerians across the agricultural value chain.
