Vice President Kashim Shettima says the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federative Republic of Brazil have agreed to implement the Agro-Trade Market Access Initiatives designed to deepen economic ties and boost agricultural productivity.
Shettima made this known during a high-level Nigeria–Brazil meeting on the milestones recorded under the initiative at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
The initiative falls under the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), co-chaired by Shettima and his Brazilian counterpart, Mr Geraldo Alckmin.
According to the Vice President, both countries will roll out bilateral agriculture and livestock partnerships under the initiative.
He expressed satisfaction with the major milestones achieved by both nations.
Shettima noted that the coast is now clear for private sector operators in both countries to begin trading in the commodities covered by the partnership.
He said the diplomatic commitment of the two countries has now translated into tangible results.
According to him, the true measure of global partnership lies not in agreements signed but in their implementation and the benefits delivered to citizens.
He noted that the development was the outcome of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil and the sustained efforts of the SDM.
“We have moved with deliberate steps from dialogue to delivery, from agreements to implementation and from shared ambition to outcomes that can be counted, weighed and shipped. This is precisely how enduring partnerships evolve,” he declared.
Shettima applauded the milestones recorded under the Nigeria-Brazil Agriculture and Livestock Cooperation Framework established under the SDM.
He noted that the Joint Agriculture and Livestock Technical Working Group is now operational, with active thematic sub-groups on dairy and livestock genetics, soybean productivity, and others.
The Vice President recalled that President Tinubu and his Brazilian counterpart observed that the volume of bilateral agricultural trade between the two countries fell far short of what their endowments permit.
He said the two leaders had directed their governments to identify opportunities for accelerating trade, investment and technical cooperation.
Shettima explained that the milestones achieved so far were the product of months of disciplined collaboration.
“I am pleased that we can today report the first tangible fruits of that presidential directive. The market access milestones we announce are the product of months of disciplined collaboration between our ministries, regulatory authorities, technical experts and private sector partners,” he stated.
Earlier, Andre Filho, Brazilian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, who led the delegation, expressed satisfaction with the progressive results from the Nigeria–Brazil Accelerated Agricultural Trade Initiative.
He noted that commitments in agriculture, food security, energy, defence, and investment reflect a shared vision of development and prosperity.
Filho said Brazil is committed to expanding market access for Nigerian products.
“As part of the understanding reached between both governments, Brazil is committed to opening its market to Nigerian exports of hibiscus, sesame, and shea butter,” he said.
He added that Brazilian technical staff are in the final stages of preparing the phytosanitary certificate proposal for these exports. Once completed, contacts will be facilitated between Nigerian exporters and potential Brazilian buyers.
On his part, Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa commended the Nigeria–Brazil partnership, stressing that the state contributes 75 per cent of the country’s non-oil exports.
He assured that Jigawa State would play its role to ensure the success of the partnership.
Similarly, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the partnership agreement is fast-tracking trade relations between the two countries.
He explained that Nigeria sees Brazil as a model country that has transformed itself into one of the world’s most productive agricultural nations.
Kyari assured that the renewed bilateral journey with Brazil under the Tinubu administration is on course to accelerate agricultural exports.
