04/11/2025
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Agri-Industrial Transformation at G20 Africa Outreach Meeting
Nigeria has restated its commitment to advancing agricultural industrialization, strengthening farm-to-factory linkages, and securing food systems as part of its broader economic transformation drive under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Speaking at the 4th Preparatory G20 Africa Outreach Meeting on Agriculture and Industrialization in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, highlighted Nigeria’s renewed strategic vision for agriculture as a key driver of industrial growth, job creation, and export expansion.
He emphasized that agriculture contributes over one-quarter of Nigeria’s GDP and remains the largest employer in the country, making it central to national development efforts and economic resilience. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, he noted, agriculture has been repositioned at the heart of policy and investment priorities, anchored on technology, value-chain development, and stronger market systems.
The Minister reiterated that Nigeria’s path to prosperity lies in adopting an agri-industrial strategy that integrates farming with processing, packaging, and manufacturing, ensuring higher value capture locally and globally. He referenced strong historical linkages between agriculture and industry, including the groundnut pyramids, cotton-powered textile mills, and thriving cocoa and leather industries, and noted that these value chains are being revitalized through modern infrastructure and private investment.
Highlighting key initiatives, he cited the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, designed by the Ministry and supported by international partners, as a flagship project for transforming rural economies, boosting exports, and attracting private sector investors.
Nigeria, he said, is committed to “producing what it eats, processing what it produces, and trading from a position of strength,” with immense opportunities in staple crops, high-value commodities, livestock feed production, and export-oriented agribusinesses such as cashew, sesame, shea, and hibiscus.
The country will continue to leverage the G20 platform to attract investment, deepen technology transfer, and strengthen partnerships to accelerate economic diversification and food system resilience.
“Nigeria’s agricultural sector is entering a new phase of transformation, guided by supportive policies, rising investments, and strategic partnerships under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR” 
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with partners across Africa and the G20 to build sustainable, competitive, and technology-driven agricultural value chains capable of feeding the continent and supporting global food security.
He concluded by calling for deeper cooperation, investment, and knowledge exchange to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential and strengthen global food systems.