FG signs $158m deal to enhance agriculture, food security in Northern Nigeria

By Kunle Sanni

The federal government on Wednesday signed a landmark $158.15 million financing agreement to launch the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN), an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming agriculture, improving livelihoods, and strengthening food security across nine states.

The eight-year programme, co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Nigerian government, will focus on strengthening agricultural value chains, increasing productivity, and building resilience in Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara states.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa during the signing ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima hailed the project as a fulfillment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to reduce poverty, restore the dignity of farmers, and ensure national food security.

The VP noted that the VCN initiative would provide critical support to underserved groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returnees from conflict-affected areas. He emphasized the government’s commitment to deploying digital tools to monitor implementation and improve transparency.

The project, validated in March, follows Shettima’s appeal at the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome last year for IFAD to expand its support for Nigeria’s agri-food transformation under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, described the programme as a “game changer” that will impact about 3.1 million people, create over 30,000 jobs, improve post-harvest handling, promote climate-smart farming, and construct over 229 kilometers of rural roads to connect farmers to markets.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, called the signing a major milestone, highlighting the involvement of sub-national governments and stakeholders in ensuring inclusivity and impact.

Senate Leader and former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, praised the initiative as “well-conceived,” pledging the National Assembly’s support. Governors from Borno, Jigawa, and Katsina also commended the federal government and called for swift implementation to maximize its benefits.