Improving agriculture key to Nigeria’s future – Envoy

Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Suzuki Hideo, has said that modernization and improvement of agricultural productivity remain the foundation of Nigeria’s sustainable economic development and its bright future. Speaking at the Annual Stakeholders’ workshop and 40th year anniversary of Sasakawa Africa Association, the ambassador said Nigeria has the potential to be an economic powerhouse of […]

Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Suzuki Hideo, has said that modernization and improvement of agricultural productivity remain the foundation of Nigeria’s sustainable economic development and its bright future.

Speaking at the Annual Stakeholders’ workshop and 40th year anniversary of Sasakawa Africa Association, the ambassador said Nigeria has the potential to be an economic powerhouse of Africa if it focuses on mechanisation, postharvest losses, and linkage to the market.

“Nigeria has vast agricultural land and fertile soil covering approximately 76.6% of its territory, along with abundant water resources, which together lead to significant agricultural production potential. The agricultural sector employs about 34% of the labor force and contributes around 25% to the GDP. Given this situation, I firmly believe that the modernization and improvement of agricultural productivity are the foundation of Nigeria’s sustainable economic development and its bright future.

Mr Hideo said that to fully realize Nigeria’s inherent productivity, it is crucial to advance mechanization, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen links to markets, adding that for the “past 40 years, the Sasakawa Africa Association has been working tirelessly to help maximize Nigeria’s agricultural production capacity.”

The Minister for State Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abduallahi, said that the country, in collaboration with donor agencies, has developed many initiatives that would strengthen the nation’s agriculture.

Dr Abdullahi said that the federal government will launch the ‘Readiness Assessment and the Coalition of the Willing’ with sub-national governments by May 2026, with participation from all 36 State Governors and their Commissioners.

Earlier, the Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association, Dr Godwin Atser, stated that “despite efforts by the government to transform agriculture, Nigeria spends $10billion on food imports such as wheat, rice, sugar, fish, and tomato paste.

Dr Atser said the “truth is that our country’s production capacity is behind demand. Therefore, there is a need to take appropriate technologies to farmers through effective extension and advisory services.”

The SSA country director, who also highlighted the various achievements of the organization in Nigeria, said the sector faces many challenges that must be properly addressed.

“While we take pride in the progress made over the years, we are equally mindful of the evolving challenges confronting the agricultural sector, including climate variability, population pressures, and shifting economic realities,” he said.