BRAZIL (PRECISE POST) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to removing all bureaucratic bottlenecks hampering the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with a particular focus on livestock production, food security, and export expansion.
During a high-level bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Copacabana Forte, President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria is undertaking sweeping reforms to enhance its global competitiveness, especially in agriculture, where the country already enjoys a comparative advantage, the statement released on the X handle of the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga said on Saturday.
“We are ready for a strong partnership and immediate action to stimulate food production,” President Tinubu declared, adding that all technical agreements between Nigeria and Brazil will be streamlined and fast-tracked across sectors including trade, aviation, energy transition, mining, and agriculture.
The Nigerian leader hailed Brazil’s success in agricultural research and development, describing the South American nation as a global model in food production and livestock farming.
He noted that Nigeria is poised to benefit from Brazil’s expertise in poultry, cattle rearing, fisheries, and the blue economy.
President Tinubu also underlined the importance of sub-national governments in driving agricultural transformation. “States have a pivotal role to play by complementing the federal government’s efforts to make agriculture a key source of employment and revenue,” he said.
In response, President Lula assured that all agreements between both countries would be updated and signed without delay, pledging closer cooperation in agricultural innovation and livestock development. “The bureaucracy must go,” he stressed, adding that Brazil’s research institutions are ready to collaborate with Nigeria to boost output in key areas such as animal health and breeding.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reiterated the administration’s unwavering focus on food security, stressing that partnerships like the one with Brazil are central to achieving this goal. He pointed to Nigeria’s fertiliser production capabilities as a competitive advantage that can be further enhanced through international cooperation.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, outlined three core areas for collaboration: disease and health management, sanitary standards, and research into genetic materials and new livestock breeds.
Governors from five Nigerian states—Benue, Ogun, Niger, Delta, and Lagos—were present at the meeting. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun voiced strong support for the federal framework, noting that the inclusion of a business forum during the visit would “inject fresh ideas and resources” into Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
Also in attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed.
The bilateral discussions mark a significant step forward in fostering sustainable agricultural growth, food sovereignty, and economic revitalisation for Nigeria.
