President Bola Tinubu has pledged to eliminate bureaucratic and technical barriers impeding Nigeria’s agricultural growth, especially in the livestock sector, as part of a renewed drive toward food security, job creation, and export competitiveness.
The president made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Saturday at the Copacabana Forte in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit.
A statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, and shared with newsmen in Abuja, outlined the key highlights of the meeting.
Tinubu emphasized that agriculture remains a strategic sector where Nigeria holds a natural competitive advantage, but progress has been slowed by excessive bureaucracy and outdated systems.
“All technicalities in agreements between the two countries will be streamlined and fast-tracked in trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, mining, and natural resources exploration,” Tinubu said.
The president commended Brazil’s global leadership in agricultural innovation, calling it a model for food production, research, and export efficiency.
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria is scaling up investments in livestock—particularly poultry, fisheries, and cattle rearing—as part of efforts to increase food supply and create jobs.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s emerging blue economy as a major opportunity for bilateral collaboration, especially in marine and aquatic resource development.
“The federal and state governments must act with urgency to boost national food production. Agriculture must become a major driver of employment and revenue,” Tinubu added.
President da Silva echoed Tinubu’s urgency, stating that Brazil would regularise and update all bilateral agreements to support Nigeria’s agricultural reform agenda.
“We are ready to eliminate bureaucracy and ensure our institutions work hand-in-hand with Nigeria, especially in livestock farming,” da Silva affirmed.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to food security through both global and local partnerships. He highlighted Nigeria’s fertiliser production capacity as a key advantage in agricultural expansion.
Also speaking, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, identified animal health, sanitation, and genetic research as priority areas for Nigeria-Brazil collaboration.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State added that the upcoming Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum would inject innovation and foreign investment into Nigeria’s agri-sector.
Presidential spokesperson Onanuga also noted that governors from Benue, Ogun, Niger, Delta, and Lagos states were present at the meeting, reflecting strong sub-national support for the president’s agricultural reform agenda.
Other top officials who participated in the bilateral meeting include Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Their presence signaled Nigeria’s strategic intent to align agricultural development with national security, diplomacy, and intelligence.
The meeting marks a significant step in deepening Nigeria-Brazil ties, with both nations committed to reshaping their agricultural systems through innovation, investment, and collaboration.
