A bill seeking to establish a comprehensive legal framework for transforming and modernising Nigeria’s agricultural sector has scaled second reading in the Senate.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, seeks to strengthen food security, boost agricultural productivity, promote mechanisation and irrigation, improve agricultural financing and accelerate agro-industrialisation.
The bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Provide a Comprehensive Legal Framework for the Transformation and Modernisation of Agriculture in Nigeria, was considered during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Leading the debate, Barau said the proposed legislation was designed to address structural weaknesses in the agricultural sector, introduce far-reaching reforms and set Nigeria on the path to an agricultural revolution.
He recalled Nigeria’s agricultural prominence in the past, attributing the sector’s decline partly to the collapse of production systems that previously supplied industries with essential raw materials.
The deputy Senate president said although President Bola Tinubu’s administration was pursuing reforms across different sectors, national development required collective responsibility from all arms of government and other stakeholders.
“However, we cannot leave everything to the President alone. Government is a collaborative undertaking, and we all have a responsibility to complement what the President is doing,” he said.
Barau explained that the proposed law would fundamentally change the country’s approach to agriculture, adding that its consideration should encourage contributions and fresh ideas from stakeholders and experts.
Seconding the bill, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, said its passage would provide the legal foundation for transforming agriculture and diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
Other lawmakers who supported the proposal included Senators Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West), Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South) and Adeniyi Adegbonmire Ayodele (Ondo Central).
Ani, a professor of Agricultural Extension, and the other lawmakers commended Barau for the initiative, noting that the proposed legislation addressed critical areas requiring reforms in the agricultural sector.
Following the debate, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committees on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, and Agricultural Colleges and Institutions for further legislative scrutiny.
The committees were given four weeks to report back to the Senate.
