The Federal Government has declared open the Technical Session of the 47th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS) with a strong focus on achieving food sovereignty and transforming Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.
The event,was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi.
Dr. Ogunbiyi stated that the session provides a platform for stakeholders to develop actionable strategies aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on food imports and achieving national self-sufficiency.
According to him, the theme of this year’s meeting, “Food Sovereignty and Food Security in an Era of Renewed Hope,” aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes agriculture as a cornerstone of economic recovery and national transformation.
He described the Technical Session as the engine room of the Council, where memoranda from states, development partners, and the private sector are reviewed to inform national agricultural policy.
“This process is central to the strength and credibility of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security. It ensures that the recommendations we advance are inclusive, evidence-based, and grounded in the realities of our diverse agricultural landscape,”
He further emphasized the importance of collaborative and evidence-based deliberations, urging participants to build consensus and integrate policy, research, and field experiences into actionable strategies for transforming agricultural value chains.
Dr. Ogunbiyi also commended the support of development partners such as FAO, IFAD, WFP, AfDB, World Bank, USAID, and IFPRI, acknowledging their continued technical and financial contributions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger.
He encouraged participants to share innovations and experiences from their respective states in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, extension reforms, agribusiness development, and digital transformation.
In his welcome address, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Murtala Mohammad Dabo, expressed the state’s delight in hosting the national dialogue on agriculture—a sector he described as one that “binds every part of the country and sustains communities.”
“Kaduna State is proud to host this gathering, which has evolved beyond a policy forum into a space for reflection, learning, and renewal. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Uba Sani, agriculture has been reimagined as a driver of opportunity, peace, and prosperity,”
Also speaking, the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, reiterated that the meeting’s theme represents both a call to action and a shared vision for strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to produce the food it consumes.
He highlighted the need for continuous improvement in the enabling environment to support productive agricultural ventures and ensure that every Nigerian household has reliable access to safe and nutritious food.
The session featured presentations of memoranda from various departments of the Ministry, state offices, and research institutes, with participation from key development organizations including ActionAid, GIZ, IFDC, and AGRA, among others.
The Technical Session will continue through the week, leading up to the Council Session on Thursday, where resolutions from the deliberations will be formally adopted.