The Federal Government has strengthened its commitment to enhancing food and nutrition security through a strategic partnership with the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel, focusing on sustainable agricultural transformation.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Aliyu Abdullahi outlined the government’s comprehensive approach to implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, emphasizing agricultural sector transformation and modernized farming practices.
The partnership with CILSS represents a significant step toward building resilient food systems that support livelihoods and household sustenance across Nigeria. The collaboration focuses on technical capacity building and sustainable investment frameworks that enhance agricultural resilience.
“We are keen to work together to strengthen the technical capacity of federal, state, and local government factors and identify a sustainable investment framework that would support resilience,” the minister stated during a courtesy visit by CILSS delegation.
Key government initiatives include promoting sustainable agricultural practices, encouraging cultivation of biofortified crops such as zinc-enriched rice, and harnessing technological innovations like mechanisation to improve productivity. These efforts prioritize increasing food production, availability, affordability, and accessibility.
Ministry Permanent Secretary Marcus Ogunbiyi emphasized that the government is currently assessing Nigeria’s preparedness to address food and nutrition security challenges. He stressed the collaboration’s importance in achieving long-term food sovereignty for the nation.
CILSS Executive Secretary Abdoulaye Mahamadou reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to addressing food and nutrition challenges across the Sahel and West Africa. The organization focuses on improving food system resilience, monitoring nutrition trends, and advocating for sustainable, affordable diets.
“CILSS is a key player in the fight against food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa, working to build resilience, improve food systems, and ensure that the region’s population has access to safe and nutritious food,” Mahamadou explained.
The partnership addresses critical challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, including climate change impacts, drought conditions, and food system vulnerabilities. CILSS brings extensive regional experience in drought control and sustainable agriculture practices.
Nigeria’s agricultural sector faces significant challenges in meeting growing food demand amid climate variability and population growth. The CILSS partnership provides access to proven strategies for building agricultural resilience and improving food security outcomes.
The collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic diversification objectives, recognizing agriculture’s crucial role in employment generation and rural development. Sustainable agricultural practices can enhance productivity while preserving environmental resources.
Regional cooperation through CILSS enables knowledge sharing and best practice adoption across West African countries facing similar food security challenges. This approach leverages collective expertise and resources for enhanced impact.
The partnership’s focus on biofortified crops addresses nutritional deficiencies while supporting agricultural productivity. Zinc-enriched rice and other biofortified varieties can improve both food security and nutritional outcomes for Nigerian populations.
Technical capacity building remains central to the partnership’s success, ensuring that government institutions at all levels can effectively implement food security initiatives. This comprehensive approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term sustainability requirements.
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