US, Nigerian stakeholders push for agricultural trade reforms

The US Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Lagos, in collaboration with the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) Kaduna Chapter and the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), has hosted a two-day roundtable aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s agricultural trade policies. The event, which started yesterday September 25 and will end today September 26, brought together agricultural trade policy […]

The US Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Lagos, in collaboration with the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) Kaduna Chapter and the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), has hosted a two-day roundtable aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s agricultural trade policies.

The event, which started yesterday September 25 and will end today September 26, brought together agricultural trade policy advisors, lawmakers, agribusiness leaders, researchers, regulators, and US trade associations to discuss innovative approaches to agricultural trade that could boost Nigeria’s economy and food security.

Central to the discussions was Nigerian-led research conducted with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), which examined the impact of trade restrictions on food prices, local production, and value-added processing. 

The findings revealed that current restrictions have led to higher food prices, increased informal trade channels, reducing government revenue and food safety oversight and created regulatory uncertainty for agribusinesses.

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Experts recommended reforms including the use of tariff rate quotas and private-sector-led export trading mechanisms to ensure transparency and equitable distribution of import quota benefits.

“Revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector requires more than trade restrictions; it demands innovation, sustainable practices, and investment in infrastructure.

“This vision is why the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce chose to partner with FAS to drive agricultural innovation and trade across Africa,” said Matthew Obogbaimhe, Chairman of NACC Kaduna Chapter.

Christopher Bielecki, Agricultural Counselor at FAS Lagos, described the roundtable as “a unique platform to exchange ideas and explore innovative agricultural trade policies that benefit consumers and farmers from Nigeria and the United States.”

Jafar Umar, Director General of Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), said, “We believe this roundtable is both timely and highly relevant to the national discourse on advancing trade and strengthening food security.”

The FAS office reaffirmed its commitment to working with Nigerian stakeholders to implement the roundtable’s recommendations, aiming to foster food security, investment, and stronger trade ties between both nations.

Findings from the NIPSS research show that Nigeria’s agricultural trade restrictions have contributed to food inflation, which surged to 30.6 percent in 2023. Prices of staples like rice and beef more than doubled over two years, with 1kg of local rice rising by 137.32 percent year-on-year in October 2024.

To address these challenges, experts recommend reducing import bans and tariffs, harmonising trade and sanitary regulations under frameworks like AfCFTA, and establishing a central body to oversee agricultural trade policy and improve regulatory clarity.