Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has praised the Sasakawa Africa Association for its enduring work to strengthen food security and modernise farming across the continent. The commendation came during a courtesy visit by SAA President Shuichi Suzuki to Obasanjo’s residence at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where discussions focused on deepening collaboration and expanding agricultural support in Nigeria.

Suzuki’s visit formed part of a wider tour of the country aimed at identifying new entry points for partnership and bolstering national agricultural programmes. Obasanjo commended SAA’s sustained investment in smallholder agriculture, noting that long-term commitment and consistent programming are essential to achieve lasting gains in productivity and rural livelihoods. He urged African governments to adopt a similar mindset of continuity and persistence in agricultural policy and investment.

Mr. Suzuki emphasised Nigeria’s agricultural potential and the importance of engaging the country’s youthful population as part of a diversified development strategy beyond oil and gas. He outlined the association’s intent to strengthen ties with Nigerian stakeholders and to scale interventions that improve food systems and support farmer resilience.

The meeting explored practical areas for cooperation, including extension services, capacity building and initiatives that enhance rural incomes. Dr. Godwin Atser, SAA’s Country Director in Nigeria, described the engagement as a timely opportunity for the association’s leadership to review both challenges and progress within the country’s agricultural sector. He highlighted SAA’s extensive outreach, noting that the organisation has engaged roughly twenty million Nigerian farmers through different extension models over the past three decades, while stressing that significant work remains to reach more farmers and deepen impact.

The visit reinforced the message that durable partnerships, sustained investment and a focus on smallholder support are central to transforming agriculture in Nigeria and across Africa.