Nigeria has taken a significant step towards transforming its agricultural sector by launching consultations to develop a 10-year national food systems plan under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration. The strategy will guide the country’s agricultural development from 2026 to 2035, with a focus on improving food security, attracting investment and building a more resilient agricultural economy.

The initiative was discussed during the National Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on the Strategic Action Plan for Implementing the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with development partners, including the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

The consultation brought together representatives from government, farmer organisations, development agencies, academia, civil society, the private sector and the media to help shape a nationally owned framework that reflects Nigeria’s agricultural priorities.

Roadmap for Agricultural Transformation

Opening the workshop, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, described the consultation as a critical milestone in translating the continental CAADP Kampala Declaration into practical actions tailored to Nigeria’s unique agricultural landscape.

He said the strategic plan would provide a long-term roadmap for strengthening food security, increasing agricultural productivity, promoting rural development and building resilient food systems over the next decade.

According to Ogunbiyi, broad stakeholder participation is essential to ensure the strategy reflects the needs of farmers, agribusinesses, researchers, policymakers and development partners.

Evidence-Based Planning and Inclusive Growth

Speaking during the consultation, Dr Oliver Kirui, Country Programme Leader for IFPRI Nigeria, highlighted the importance of building on the progress made since the launch of CAADP in 2003.

He said the next phase of agricultural development must be guided by evidence-based policymaking and informed by the experiences of farmers, youth, women, researchers and private-sector stakeholders.

Kirui noted that the consultation offers an opportunity to ensure Nigeria’s long-term agricultural strategy remains aligned with both national priorities and continental development goals.

Stakeholders Call for Stronger Implementation

Participants agreed that the success of the 2026–2035 Strategic Action Plan will depend not only on policy design but also on effective implementation.

Rufus Idris, Country Director of AGRA, emphasised the need for inclusive participation across the entire agricultural value chain to ensure successful implementation of the strategy.

Meanwhile, Dr Isaac Mensah of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) described the action plan as an important opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s food systems while improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers, women and young people.

Discussions throughout the workshop identified several priority areas, including increased agricultural financing, stronger investment, climate resilience, institutional coordination and more effective implementation mechanisms.

Communication Seen as Critical to Success

Although communication was not a standalone agenda item, stakeholders repeatedly highlighted its importance in translating agricultural policies into measurable outcomes.

Participants identified several implementation challenges, including weak feedback channels between farmers and policymakers, limited awareness of government programmes at local level, inconsistent messaging across institutions and inadequate use of community-based communication platforms.

The consultation also highlighted the need to simplify technical information so farmers can better understand and adopt new policies, technologies and support programmes.

Abiola Afolayan, Co-founder of the Centre for Women’s Policy and Agricultural Innovation (CWPAI), noted that Nigeria has developed many strong agricultural policies but often struggles to convert them into practical action that benefits women, vulnerable groups and farming communities.

Building a More Resilient Food System

As Nigeria finalises its 2026–2035 Strategic Action Plan, stakeholders agreed that long-term success will depend on sustained collaboration between government, development partners, farmers, researchers and the private sector.

Beyond increasing investment and strengthening institutions, participants stressed that effective communication, continuous stakeholder engagement and coordinated implementation will be essential to transforming Nigeria’s food system.

If successfully implemented, the strategy is expected to strengthen food security, improve agricultural productivity, enhance rural livelihoods and position Nigeria for more sustainable agricultural growth over the next decade.