FG URGES STRONGER SCIENCE-DRIVEN PARTNERSHIPS TO DRIVE AFRICA\u2019S AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AT 9TH AASW<\/p>\n
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi has reaffirmed Nigeria\u2019s commitment to promoting science, innovation, and strategic partnerships as key drivers of sustainable agricultural transformation and food security across Africa.<\/p>\n
The Minister made this known while delivering his Opening Address at the Science and Partnership for Agriculture Conference (SPAC) 2026, a major component of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (9AASW) and the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Abuja.<\/p>\n
Sen. Abdullahi described the conference as a defining intellectual engagement that brought together experts and stakeholders to examine Africa\u2019s agricultural challenges and chart innovative pathways for the continent\u2019s transformation in line with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration.<\/p>\n
He noted that SPAC remains the premier continental platform dedicated to uniting key agricultural actors including National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), the African Union, Sub-Regional Organisations (SROs), and CGIAR Centers to shape the future of innovation in Africa.<\/p>\n
According to him, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government is implementing bold reforms to strengthen food security through research, innovation, mechanization, climate resilience, digital agriculture, and stronger collaboration among research institutions, farming communities, and the private sector.<\/p>\n
The Minister acknowledged Africa\u2019s progress in establishing National Agricultural Research Systems, universities, specialized research institutes, and centers of excellence.<\/p>\n
In a statement signed by Obe Mabel, Assistant Chief Information Officer, on behalf of the Head of Information at the Ministry, the Minister noted that these institutions have generated technologies that have enhanced crop production, livestock development, fisheries, forestry, and natural resource management, while improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers.<\/p>\n
Sen. Abdullahi stressed the need for greater institutional convergence, noting that while scientific excellence exists across Africa, more collaboration and alignment are required to address emerging agricultural challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Science and Partnership for Agriculture Conference was conceived by FARA to provide a unique continental platform where researchers, policymakers, development partners, universities, farmers\u2019 organizations, and the private sector can collectively shape Africa\u2019s agricultural research agenda and strengthen partnerships for greater impact,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Minister added that the agricultural sector is being rapidly transformed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital agriculture, genomics, robotics, and big data, even as climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and population growth continue to reshape food systems.<\/p>\n
He therefore called for a new generation of scientists equipped with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to deliver climate-smart, technology-driven, and commercially relevant solutions that respond to Africa\u2019s evolving needs.<\/p>\n
The Minister further urged African countries to increase investment in frontier sciences, accelerate the commercialization of research outputs, establish sustainable financing mechanisms for research, promote responsible sharing of scientific data, and foster stronger collaboration between public research institutions and the private sector.<\/p>\n
He noted that research must ultimately be measured by its impact on farmers\u2019 livelihoods, job creation, agribusiness development, environmental sustainability, and national prosperity.<\/p>\n
Sen. Abdullahi urged participants to ensure that deliberations at SPAC 2026 translate into stronger partnerships, evidence-based policies, and innovative solutions that will improve the lives of millions of African farmers and consumers, while positioning science as the cornerstone of Africa\u2019s agricultural transformation.<\/p>\n
Earlier in her presentation, the Director, Research and Innovation \u2013 Emeritus, FARA, Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong, stated that the vision behind SPAC is to transform agricultural productivity and sustainability by translating scientific breakthroughs into practical and scalable solutions for farmers across Africa.<\/p>\n
She explained that the initiative reflects Africa\u2019s commitment to collaboration in addressing common agricultural challenges. According to her, SPAC is designed to drive innovation, strengthen strategic partnerships, promote knowledge exchange, and accelerate climate-resilient agricultural development on the continent.<\/p>\n
The highlight of the event was the official launch of the book, _Reimagining Agricultural Research in Africa: Demand, Innovation and Transformation_, performed by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, the Minister of Livestock Development, and other distinguished dignitaries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FG URGES STRONGER SCIENCE-DRIVEN PARTNERSHIPS TO DRIVE AFRICA\u2019S AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AT 9TH AASW The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi has reaffirmed Nigeria\u2019s commitment to promoting science, innovation, and strategic partnerships as key drivers of sustainable agricultural transformation and food security across Africa. The Minister made this known while delivering […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":151722,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[288,243,18],"tags":[3291,3290,2554],"class_list":["post-151720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-africa","category-agriculture","category-news","tag-forum-for-agricultural-research-in-africa","tag-science-and-partnership-for-agriculture-conference","tag-senator-aliyu-abdullahi"],"yoast_head":"\n