47th National Council on Agriculture And Food Security Begins in Kaduna
The Federal Government has kicked off the 47th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), with a focus on brainstorming for food sovereignty and revolutionizing the agricultural sector.
Speaking during the Technical Session of the NCAFS, Monday, in Kaduna, the Kaduna State Capital, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi stated that the session aims to enable stakeholders develop strategies that would enable food sovereignty and reduce the country’s reliance on imports.
He highlighted that the theme, ‘Food Sovereignty and Food Security” in the Era of Renewed Hope for all Nigerians, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Agenda, which prioritises agriculture for economic recovery and transformation.
Dr. Ogunbiyi stated further that the technical session is the Council’s engine room, where memoranda from States, partners, and the private sector are reviewed to guide national – agricultural policy.
According to him, the platform ensures that stakeholders engage in robust, evidence-based discussions that will ultimately shapen the resolutions to be taken at the Council Session on Thursday
“This process is central to the strength and credibility of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security. It ensures that the recommendations we advance are inclusive, well-informed, and grounded in the realities of our diverse agricultural landscape.”
“Our task in this Technical Session is, therefore, not only to review memoranda but to build consensus, to blend knowledge from policy, research, and practice into actionable strategies that would drive transformation across the value chains”, he added.
Ogunbiyi charged participants to critically evaluate past successes, identify existing gaps, and collaboratively forge a new path for transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
According to Mrs Antonia Eremah, on behalf of the Head of the Ministry’s Information Department, the Peemanent Secretary encouraged them to leverage the platform to exchange experiences, showcase innovations, and explore opportunities in climate-smart agriculture, extension reforms, agribusiness development, and digital transformation.
He commended the development partners, including FAO, IFAD, WFP, AfDB, World Bank, USAID, and IFPRI, for their invaluable contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger.
Dr. Ogunbiyi therefore, urged the participants to approach the deliberations with focus and a spirit of collaboration to achieve productive and meaningful outcomes that would strengthen Nigeria’s journey toward food sovereignty and food security.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Kaduna State, Hon. Murtala Mohammad Dabo expressed the State’s delight to play host, describing the national dialogue as the future of agriculture – a sector that binds every part of the country, sustains the communities, and remains vital to collective progress.
“We are confident that the 47th Session will carry forward this proud tradition and set new benchmarks in our pursuit of food security and agricultural transformation” He said
In his remarks, FMAFS’s Director of Planning and Policy Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu reiterated that the theme was both a call to action and a shared vision, stressing that “it challenges us to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce the food we consume and reduce external dependence to ensure that every Nigerian household has reliable access to safe and nutritious food.
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