By Omoyeni Ojeifo
In a bid to establish a modern legal framework that supports national food sovereignty and drives growth across the agribusiness sector, the Federal Government has initiated the second phase of the review of 18 Nigerian agricultural laws.
PerSecondNews reports that the announcement was made on Thursday during the Stakeholders’ Technical Retreat in Abuja.
Representing the Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Production Services, Bello Ka’oje, Committee Deputy Chairman Kelechi Nwogu emphasized that updating these regulations is essential for positioning Nigeria’s agricultural sector to capitalize on modern developments and industry demands.
“As legislators, we remain committed to working closely with the ministry and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that outcome of this process translates into practical and effective legislation,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director, Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Hafsat Dupe Belgore, represented by Assistant Legal Adviser, Manbyen Mamvong, explained that the first phase of the exercise involved a comprehensive diagnostic mapping of existing agricultural legislation.
She noted: “The first phase, which was highly consultative, identified obsolete provisions, overlapping mandates, regulatory gaps and areas where the laws are no longer in tune with current realities, including climate change, mechanization, agricultural technology, private sector investment and food systems transformation.”
She described the second phase as more critical and decisive, noting that it moves the process from diagnosis to concrete legal re-engineering.
Belgore identified the three objectives of the second phase as validating findings and draft reform proposals from the first phase, harvesting sector-specific inputs to enrich the reform process and aligning the review with the Renewed Hope Agenda, other relevant national laws and international best practices.
“This session is therefore not a repetition, but a consolidation. We are here to refine, to interrogate draft provisions, and to ensure that the new legal framework we are crafting is practical, enforceable, inclusive, and capable of driving Nigeria towards food sovereignty and agribusiness-led economic growth,” she noted.
She enjoined stakeholders to be frank, constructive and forward-looking, assuring that every input would be meticulously captured and translated into robust legal drafts.
Belgore appreciated the Minister, Permanent Secretary, partners, legal experts and stakeholders for their commitment to the reform.
She also hailed stakeholders who contributed to the foundational stage and noted that significant progress was made from the initial submissions.
During the presentation of the proposed amendments to the 18 agricultural laws, the Consultant and Lead Partner, Thinkfield Law, Emeka Ogenyi, explained that the retreat would ensure that stakeholders validate the proposed amendments, incorporate the approved input and submit the final harmonized version to the Ministry of Justice for legal drafting.
“The amendments would ensure a modern, coherent, fit-for-purpose agricultural legal framework to support sustainable agricultural development and investment in Nigeria,” he stated.
The retreat was attended by members of the National Assembly, representatives of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, directors of the ministry, representatives of agencies under the ministry, resource persons and other stakeholders.
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