The Bank of Agriculture took centre stage in Abuja as Nigeria unveiled a sweeping ₦1.5 trillion recapitalisation plan, paired with a ₦200 billion commitment to agricultural programmes.
The government describes it as a bold step towards reshaping the nation’s food systems and securing its farming future.
During a diplomatic visit by Gambian officials to Abuja, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced the recapitalisation.
He explained that the government aims to expand farmers’ access to credit through the BoA while directly supporting key agricultural projects with the ₦200 billion fund.
In line with these efforts, the government has already distributed 2.15 million bags of fertiliser to farmers across the country.
Kyari emphasised that these actions reflect a deliberate strategy to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and boost food security.
Nigeria–Gambia Agricultural Talks
Meanwhile, the visit featured bilateral discussions, technical briefings, and a tour of Nigeria’s mechanisation facilities at the National Agricultural Seed Council in Sheda.
Impressed by Nigeria’s agricultural progress, Gambia’s Agriculture Minister, Demba Sabally, applauded initiatives such as rice production and post-harvest systems.
He also requested Nigeria to designate a “Rice Ambassador” to help Gambia reach its 2030 rice self-sufficiency target.
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Similarly, Permanent Secretary Nyangado Alhagie described the experience as transformational.
Nigeria Leads Regional Cooperation
In response, Kyari reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to lead regional agricultural cooperation.
He pointed to President Tinubu’s 2023 food security emergency declaration as a catalyst for change.
Additionally, he outlined Nigeria’s four-part strategy focused on mechanisation, youth involvement, food sovereignty, and research-led policy.
Finally, Minister of State, Aliyu Abdullahi, welcomed the collaboration, urging more African nations to adopt Nigeria’s model for agricultural growth.
