Nigeria marked a significant milestone on July 3 with the first national celebration of World Cassava Day at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja. Organized by the Office of the Vice President through the Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement Project Management Office, in partnership with Agbeyewa Farms, Cavista Holdings, and the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA), the event brought together over 200 stakeholders from regional and international organizations. The celebration underscored Nigeria’s position as the world’s largest cassava producer while advancing strategic plans for agricultural industrialization. Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima GCON, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing cassava’s role in driving economic growth and job creation. The program featured goodwill messages from global partners and the flagship Cassava Changemakers pitch competition, where 10 young innovators from across Nigeria presented their solutions. This national gathering reflects Nigeria’s commitment to maximizing cassava’s economic potential and strengthening agricultural partnerships. For comprehensive coverage of the proceedings, key announcements, and strategic outcomes from this landmark event, kindly read the full article below.
Cassava as a Catalyst for Economic Growth: Stakeholders Highlight Opportunities and Policy Direction.
The Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, alongside the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Kingsley Uzoma, PhD, recently joined other key stakeholders to explore the immense potential of cassava as a transformative force in Nigeria’s economy. Also present at the session were Dr. Okengwu, Managing Partner of Biosources and Technologies Limited, and Mr. Seyi Aiyeleso, Managing Director/CEO of Agbeyewa Farms Limited. Together, they offered valuable insights into both public and private sector efforts in advancing Nigeria’s cassava value chain. Senator Dr. Abdullahi and Dr. Uzoma emphasized the strategic initiatives and policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in enhancing cassava production, processing, and reducing import dependency. Their remarks underscored the government’s renewed commitment to positioning cassava as a key pillar in Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial development agenda. From the private sector perspective, Dr. Okengwu and Mr. Aiyeleso highlighted ongoing innovations, investments, and enterprise models that are unlocking the economic potential of cassava across multiple sectors. The discussions reaffirmed cassava’s role as a powerful driver of inclusive growth, food security, industrial raw material supply, and foreign exchange earnings—positioning it as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy. Watch the excerpts below. https://lnkd.in/dcZkwKbQ
Second Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, the Fight Against Hunger, and Rural Development
Nigeria Participates in Second Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Hunger Eradication, and Rural Development The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (AgPE) is proud to announce its participation in the Second Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, the Fight Against Hunger, and Rural Development, taking place from 20th to 24th May 2025 in Brazil. A high-powered Nigerian delegation is currently in attendance, led by:• Senator Abubakar Kyari, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security• Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Honourable Minister of Livestock Development• Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, PhD, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (AgPE) The Dialogue brings together representatives from 44 African countries and marks the official launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, spearheaded by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In his address, President Lula emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation to tackle food insecurity and called for deeper cooperation among nations, highlighting the stark contrast between global hunger (affecting over 730 million people) and rising global military spending. He also affirmed Brazil’s commitment to supporting Africa through technical expertise and agricultural innovation. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, the Nigerian Government aims to achieve domestic food and nutrition security while leading international efforts to eliminate hunger and poverty. Further updates from the Brazil-Africa Dialogue will be shared as the programme continues.
A Working visit to the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU) in Abuja
The OVP-Project Management Office team recently paid a working visit to the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU) in Abuja. The visit was an opportunity to better understand CRDCU’s delivery frameworks and their role in connecting MDAs with communities. It also helped shape ongoing efforts to identify areas where agricultural priorities can benefit from stronger coordination and support. We had enriching conversations with Bashira Ibrahim and Farida Sada, Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination (under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination), including around the upcoming World Cassava Day and how the event can spotlight relevant agricultural policies and inter-agency collaboration. We commend CRDCU’s work and look forward to deeper synergy as we align on shared priorities.
Cassava Change-Makers Pitch Competition
Are you a bold innovator aged 18–35 with solutions for Nigeria’s cassava industry?Enter the Cassava Change-Makers Pitch Competition and stand a chance to win up to ₦2 million, receive business development support, and have your ideas featured at the 2025 World Cassava Day event. Hosted by the Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic Of Nigeria (Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement) and Agbeyewa Farms. Apply by June 25: https://lnkd.in/d8dBHgiS
Strategic Partnerships in Agribusiness, Meeting with World Cocoa Foundation
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (AgPE), Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, PhD, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships and reaffirmed the commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda to revitalizing Nigeria’s key agricultural value chains, particularly cocoa (as reported in the attached link). He made these remarks during a high-level meeting with Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima and executives from the World Cocoa Foundation on strategic energy investments. Dr. Uzoma stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the establishment of the Cocoa Management Board, describing it as a significant milestone in the administration’s efforts to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s cocoa sector. He noted that this was the ideal time for the World Cocoa Foundation and its partners to engage with Nigeria, which he described as a strategic anchor capable of connecting the country’s cocoa value chain with major global buyers and other critical stakeholders in the sector. For more information: https://lnkd.in/dC5khkJJ
The AgriConnect Summit 2025, Lagos
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Dr Kingsley Uzoma, PhD, alongside members of the Project Management Office team, participated in the recently concluded The AgriConnect Summit 2025, held May 29-30 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The summit convened over 300 agricultural stakeholders for discussions on bridging the generational divide in agriculture. The event featured keynote addresses by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, outgoing African Development Bank President, speeches from H.E. Gautier MIGNOT (EU Ambassador), the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, a fireside chat with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and award ceremonies to winners of the pre-conference youth innovation challenge. Five comprehensive panel sessions addressed youth empowerment, agro-processing/agri-fintech solutions, education revolution, and private-public partnerships. The panels featured diverse stakeholders, including representatives from Mastercard, Paystack, Promakar Flour Mills Nigeria Limited, Union Bank of Nigeria, OPay, ThriveAgric, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Heifer International, AGRA, Propcom+ (UKAid), OCP AFRICA, Soilless Farm Labs, Atius Synergy Global (ASG), Obasanjo Farms Nigeria etc. As a panelist on Private-Public Partnerships for Agricultural Self-Sufficiency, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma responded to questions regarding the government’s current PPP strategy, emphasizing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration’s strategic realignment toward ecosystem support and investment enablement rather than traditional subsidy models. He highlighted existing opportunities within Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs), detailing infrastructure development and investment incentives within designated agricultural processing corridors. He also detailed the Green Imperative Project, a Nigeria-Brazil Bilateral Program, whose main line of work is the development of food production value chains through the development of Service Centres for agricultural and livestock production, which will support small farmers in agricultural mechanisation, technical assistance and access to the market. In follow-up discussions, Dr. Uzoma outlined the government’s quality monitoring and assurance role focused on ensuring optimal nutrient composition and quality standards in fertilizer production and distribution. He emphasized the government’s commitment to monitoring production metrics and ensuring adequate best practices compliance, reinforcing the administration’s pivot toward business-friendly policies and industrial development frameworks. The PMO team successfully mapped strategic partnerships which will enable further collaboration with priority ecosystem players, supporting national agricultural modernization objectives and advancing food security through innovative partnerships and youth-centric approaches.
Nigeria Deepens Cotton Sector Engagement in Brazil
Following the high-level participation in the second Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Fight Against Hunger and Rural Development, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (AgPE), Dr Kingsley Uzoma, PhD, participated in follow-up technical engagements with the National Central Laboratory of Cotton in Brazil (Cotton Brazil). This visit marked a crucial step in Nigeria’s effort to modernize its Cotton, Textile, and Garment (CTG) sector by studying global best practices in cotton testing, standardization, and traceability. Dr Uzoma engaged with Cotton Brazil and the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa – Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Algodão). key institutions behind Brazil’s rise as the world’s leading cotton exporter, with $5.29 billion in cotton exports in 2024. Brazil tests 100% of its cotton using High-Volume Instruments (HVI) and operates 12 regional labs under a centralized quality control system (CBRA), certified by ICA Bremen GmbH and ISO/IEC 17025 standards. This visit provided valuable insights into the Brazilian Cotton Quality Control Program (SBRHVI), which unifies data, ensures transparency, and upholds sustainability and fiber quality. Nigeria is taking deliberate steps to replicate global best practices, strengthen its regulatory capacity, and build a future-ready CTG sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda. These insights will directly inform Nigeria’s broader CTG revitalization plan, now backed by the CTG Development Board through innovation, traceability, and global market alignment.
Applying Global Best Practices to Nigeria’s CTG Sector Transformation
Applying Global Best Practices to Nigeria’s CTG Sector Transformation Brazil’s National Central Laboratory of Cotton (Cotton Brazil) presented a world-class example of how scientific infrastructure, data transparency, and institutional coordination can drive sectoral transformation to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement Dr Kingsley Uzoma, PhD, during his visit to their facility. Today, Brazil stands as the world’s largest cotton exporter, having produced 3.7 million tons of lint in the 2023/2024 cotton year and exported approximately 2.7 million tons, valued at $5.29 billion. Remarkably, this was achieved with 93% of production on dryland farms, using no irrigation.Over two decades, Brazil reduced its cotton acreage by 54%, while increasing yields by 648%, from 248 kg/ha to a global-leading 1,857 kg/ha. This leap is underpinned by a national testing ecosystem where 100% of cotton is evaluated using High-Volume Instruments (HVI). Brazil’s Cotton Quality Control Program (SBRHVI) ensures uniform classification, traceability, and international certification through the CBRA lab network. For Nigeria, these learnings offer a blueprint.The revitalization of the Cotton, Textile, and Garment (CTG) sector must embed rigorous testing, digital traceability, and quality assurance at its core.
Agribusiness PMO Hosts Gates Foundation at New Abuja Office
The Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement Project Management Office (PMO) recently hosted representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) at its newly launched office located within the Digital Bridge Institute, Utako, Abuja. During the visit, Dr. Audu Grema, Senior Program Officer at BMGF, commended the remarkable progress achieved by the PMO within the initial six-month phase of the program. He emphasized that the accomplishments recorded so far are impressive enough to serve as a possible model for replication across other geographies. Dr. Audu also encouraged the PMO to broaden its scope beyond the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, by engaging with other agricultural initiatives under the Office of the Vice President and the Presidency. In response, Tochukwu Mbanugo, the PMO Team Lead, expressed appreciation on behalf of the team, thanking Dr. Audu and Aisha Hadeja from Sahel Consulting for their insightful feedback and commendations on the milestones achieved.
