We’re Dismantling Bottlenecks to Unlock Nigeria’s Agricultural Potential – Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured his Brazilian counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, that his administration is taking decisive steps to eliminate all bureaucratic and structural impediments hampering the growth of Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

Speaking during a high-level bilateral meeting at the Copacabana Forte in Brazil, President Tinubu emphasized that removing red tape in agricultural operations is key to enabling Nigeria’s drive towards food sovereignty, increased production, and export opportunities, particularly in areas such as livestock, fisheries, and poultry.

This was disclosed in a statement issued Saturday night by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, titled “We’re Removing All Bottlenecks To Improve Food And Agric Production In Nigeria, Says President Tinubu To Brazilian Leader.”

“The President informed the Brazilian leader and delegation that Nigeria was already undergoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it already has a competitive advantage,” the statement read.

President Tinubu also revealed that Nigeria is ready to fast-track and streamline all technical agreements between both nations across critical sectors, including **trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, mining, and natural resource exploration.

He praised Brazil’s strong record in agricultural research and development, noting that its successes serve as a model for many developing nations.

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“On livestock farming, Tinubu highlighted the efforts of his administration to boost investments in poultry, cattle rearing, and fisheries, adding that the blue economy also holds potential for long-term partnerships between Nigeria and Brazil. He argued that Nigeria was ready for a strong partnership and immediate action to stimulate food production,” Onanuga stated.

He also pointed out the crucial role sub-national governments play in the overall success of agricultural reform, describing them as central partners in enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and leveraging agriculture as a major revenue driver.

President Lula, in response, pledged Brazil’s commitment to updating and signing all existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Nigeria during Tinubu’s next state visit. He emphasized the need to eliminate bureaucracy that has previously slowed down collaborative efforts.

“He noted that the lingering bureaucracy between the two countries must be removed to achieve quick results, adding that Brazil’s research and development institutions will collaborate with Nigeria to enhance livestock farming,” the statement said.

Also speaking at the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed the administration’s prioritization of food security, citing both *ocal and international partnerships as key to achieving that goal. He noted that Nigeria already has a competitive edge in fertilizer production, which can be scaled further with enhanced collaboration.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, identified three critical areas of partnership with Brazil: health and disease management, sanitary and veterinary services, and research into genetic materials and new livestock breeds.

The meeting was attended by governors from agriculturally strategic states: Benue’s Hyacinth Alia, Ogun’s Dapo Abiodun, Niger’s Mohammed Umar Bago, Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori, and Lagos’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Speaking on behalf of the governors, Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed readiness of the sub-national governments to align with the federal government’s agenda to rejuvenate agriculture. He also applauded the decision to host a business forum during President Tinubu’s visit, noting that the initiative would infuse fresh energy, investment, and innovation into Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

Other key attendees included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.