We held preliminary discussions with the Permanent Secretary and senior managers of key projects and parastatals under the ministry. The engagement provided an opportunity to gain a broad overview of national livestock programs and explore potential areas for collaboration. As the ministry sets its foundation, the AgPE-PMO is keen on aligning with its vision and supporting the effective coordination and delivery of livestock-related initiatives that advance national priorities. Our focus is on strengthening implementation through shared frameworks, improved information flow, and performance-driven collaboration, without duplicating existing efforts. This marks an important step toward creating structured pathways for multi-stakeholder coordination in Nigeria’s livestock sector. Organizations running livestock development programs and seeking better alignment with national efforts are encouraged to connect for potential engagement options.

On April 25, 2025, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (SSA-AgPE), Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, PhD, and the Special Adviser to the Governor (Central Bank of Nigeria) on Finance & Strategy., Prof. Anthony Ogufere, convened the fourth strategic meeting with their respective teams. The focus was on identifying how Nigeria can leverage current global economic opportunities arising from the ongoing tariff war between the United States and China. Dr. Uzoma identified soybeans, cashews, and cotton as key commodities with high potential for Nigeria. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to act promptly by developing a policy framework and strategic direction to position itself advantageously in global trade. Focusing specifically on soybeans, Dr. Uzoma highlighted the production potential in Taraba, Benue, Kaduna, Abuja, and Nasarawa States as capable of meeting Chinese demand. Regarding cotton, he noted that countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh are experiencing high production costs, creating a window for Nigeria to step in (especially in light of declining global oil prices, reinforcing the urgent need for economic diversification). On cashew production, Dr. Uzoma stressed the importance of collaboration among producers and the development of clear policies and a strategic roadmap for cashew processing associations. He also noted encouraging progress, with Kaduna State now operational in this regard. In response, Prof. Ogufere commended Dr. Uzoma for his insightful contributions and affirmed that the CBN would prioritize the information shared, moving swiftly to develop an implementation strategy that aligns with national economic value creation goals. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the CBN to respond swiftly to the proposed roadmap and policy suggestions, ensuring Nigeria claims its stake in the evolving dynamics of global trade.

The AgPE Project Management Office paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja, where we met with Bashar Aliyu Buhari, the Special Assistant to Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. The meeting served as an opportunity to introduce the PMO team, share our mandate, and outline key aspects of our project scope. In turn, we received an overview of the Ministry’s agriculture-related priorities and ongoing initiatives relevant to our work. The engagement also helped identify internal champions for agricultural development within the Ministry, laying the groundwork for future coordination and alignment around national food security goals.

The AgPE Project Management Office (PMO) recently held a strategic meeting with Dr. Faniran Sanjo O., Director of the Department of Social Development at the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, in Abuja. Dr. Faniran plays a pivotal role in leading the National Food Systems Transformation Pathways Initiative (NFSTPI) for Nigeria (2021–2030). This initiative is designed to address food systems challenges while promoting sustainable practices. Developed in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, the NFSTPI seeks to implement the 78 priority actions identified during the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. During the meeting, Dr. Faniran provided an overview of the initiative’s focus areas in Nigeria, highlighting early successes as well as additional programs covering farm estates, smallholder settlements, and agricultural information systems. He also addressed key questions from our team. We took the opportunity to introduce the PMO’s mandate and explore potential areas for collaboration, especially in coordination, implementation support, and performance tracking. We look forward to continued engagement with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning as we work to align our efforts with Nigeria’s national agricultural transformation goals.

The visit provided an opportunity to formally introduce our team and share a broad overview of the AgPE-PMO initiative. We also explored potential areas of collaboration with the Ministry, particularly around shared priorities aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience and food systems in Nigeria. Our conversation with the Honourable Minister was insightful, touching on the current state of food security and drawing on case studies and comparative models from other agricultural economies. These reflections highlighted opportunities for aligning local efforts with global best practices in support of national programmes. We were also honoured by the presence of Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu (Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria | Board of Trustees, African Agricultural Technology Foundation | Former President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association & Veterinary Council of Nigeria), who shared valuable perspectives on agricultural transformation efforts across the African continent. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Ministry and other key stakeholders as we advance our support framework.

Earlier this year, the Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement Project Management Office (PMO) under the Office of the Vice President had the privilege of meeting with Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms, at the Presidential Villa. During the meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss key livestock sector advancing programs and brief him on the newly formed PMO, which is committed to advancing Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The PMO, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation & Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited, plays a pivotal role in driving high-impact agribusiness and productivity-enhancing initiatives. We look forward to continued partnership and progress in achieving sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.

In a recent Africa Independent Television (AIT) interview, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, addressed Nigeria’s food security challenges by referencing the Cadre Harmonisé report (a sophisticated food security assessment tool used in collaboration with the FAO and WFP) to contextualize the UN’s projection that 24.8 million Nigerians could face hunger. He explained how the tool & report could help enable precision targeting of interventions rather than ineffective blanket solutions. Identifying the root causes, Dr. Uzoma intoned that insecurity and climate disruptions have significantly undermined agricultural productivity, particularly citing the extensive farmland losses during recent flooding events. He gave some insights into some interventions by the FG:– Successfully launching the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pocket, which has revitalized large-scale dry season farming, particularly wheat production at a scale not seen in three decades– Distributing over 2.2 million bags of NPK fertilizer using advanced Sentinel satellite-based mapping for precise allocation– Increasing the availability of agrochemicals and improved seedlings nationwide Dr. Uzoma reported that these strategic interventions have already yielded measurable results, including a 20% reduction in staple food prices due to increased supply and reduced hoarding by middlemen. For complete details, watch the interview: https://lnkd.in/dVwuK_nU

We’re pleased to announce the formal launch of the Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement Project Management Office (AgPE-PMO) at the Nigeria AgriBusiness Group (NABG) Presidential Roundtable on Agribusiness event. Established under the Office of the Vice President, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Sahel Consulting, the AgPE-PMO is designed to improve coordination and delivery of Nigeria’s priority agricultural initiatives. During the roundtable themed “Driving Agribusiness Transformation: Policies, Partnerships, and Prosperity,” the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement Dr Kingsley Uzoma, PhD outlined how the PMO will collaborate with existing programs to close delivery gaps, enhance policy coherence, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks. The event convened a cross-section of stakeholders, including federal ministries, implementing agencies, NABG executives, donor partners, and private sector leaders, demonstrating strong alignment across sectors. The AgPE-PMO is committed to unlocking the full potential of agribusiness to drive inclusive growth and rural transformation. We welcome collaboration with organizations implementing high-impact agricultural initiatives.

On February 11, 2025, the AgPE Project Management Office participated in the UK-Nigeria Agric-Tech Roundtable hosted by the visiting UK Agricultural Technology Centre in Lagos The session convened key stakeholders to explore climate-smart agricultural partnerships and innovation pathways. The PMO team joined discussions on project models such as DATABEE (Data-Driven Agriculture for a Better Environment and Economy) and TRUTH (Thriving Roots Underpinning Soil Health), highlighting the importance of knowledge exchange, data-informed decision-making, and resilient value chains. Opportunities for collaboration in precision agriculture, water management, and value addition were also explored. The day concluded with a networking mixer and reception hosted by the Deputy British High Commissioner (at his residence), fostering dialogue on future partnerships. We look forward to continued engagement with partners across the ecosystem. Organizations involved in climate-smart agriculture are encouraged to reach out via DM to explore synergies.