Nigeria’s food security challenges, exacerbated by climate change, require adaptive solutions, Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari said in Abuja.
He suggested reviewing seed varieties as one potential approach.
Kyari said: “One way to adapt is by reviewing seed varieties, and with your leadership, I believe the ministry can allocate resources effectively to address these challenges.
“Our doors are open; if you have any issues requiring clarification, you are welcome to reach out to me or our top directors, who will be happy to address your concerns.
“They are highly experienced professionals whose expertise I have leveraged to drive our success, and I am confident we are on the right path.
“While we have not reached our desired destination, we are on the right trajectory. Notably, the progress we have made in under two years would typically take longer to achieve.”
“Our ultimate goal is to strike a balance between the welfare of consumers and that of farmers,” the minister said while addressing the newly appointed Board Chairmen of agencies and parastatals under the ministry.
Persecondnews correspondent who covered the event reports that Kyari urged the newly appointed APC state chapter chairmen to bring their “winning energy” to the ministry.
He explained that the same drive that secured the presidency, 22 APC governorships, and the top National Assembly position should now be directed towards achieving similar success within the ministry.
President Bola Tinubu had appointed 19 APC state chairmen and some National Working Committee members of the party as board chairmen of various government institutions on March 28, 2025.
On budgeting process and implementation, Kyari advised them to exercise caution and work with relevant officials in the ministry and avoid making provisions for non-agricultural items.
He said: “Before the budget defence period, I had the opportunity to speak with heads of agencies, research institutes, and colleges, where I cautioned them about including non-agricultural provisions in the budget, which are unrelated to agriculture.
“I see no justification for the Lake Chad Research Institute to be allocating funds for road construction. As research institutes, we must be mindful of our budget priorities. Please bring such inclusions to our attention.
“We have encountered embarrassing situations where civil societies publish damaging reports about our research institutions in newspapers.
“To the directors, I urge you to open your arms and doors to collaborative opportunities, working closely with stakeholders for the betterment of our ministry and the nation.”
Responding, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Secretary of the APC State Chairmen Forum and Cross River State Chairman, said the President’s decision to appoint 40% of them into parastatals and agencies under the ministry will help achieve food sufficiency, pledging maximum support.
He said: “The President’s emphasis on agriculture is well-founded, as even in our sacred texts (the Bible), bread is highlighted as a fundamental necessity. The Lord’s prayer itself asks for ‘daily bread,’ underscoring the importance of food.
“As party chairmen, we are committed to fulfilling the President’s promises, not just winning elections; you can trust that you have the right team to help achieve this goal.
“It is gratifying to meet with directors who will provide valuable expertise to support us in our various fields. After listening to their introductions, we are pleased to have dependable professionals on board.
“We humbly request that you inform the agency heads about the appointments of board chairmen. We are aware of our responsibilities and the expectations you have. We are prepared to collaborate with them, and we hope they will reciprocate with an open and cooperative mindset.”
In his brief remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu S. Abdullahi, expressed his pleasure in working alongside people with similar goals, noting that shared values reduce the chance of disagreements.
He stressed the importance of working together – engaging, guiding, and empowering one another – to achieve the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on food security, economic growth, poverty reduction, and inclusivity.
“We assure you that with our collective efforts, agricultural growth is achievable. You can count on our total support and guidance to ensure success.”
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