By Muhammed Salihu Maigoro
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting food security through strategic partnerships, as it collaborates with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to attract investment in agriculture ahead of the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative forum scheduled for September 2025 in Abuja.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has emphasized the need for increased investment in food production across the country, leveraging partnerships with development agencies to enhance agricultural productivity.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, made this known when he received the newly appointed FAO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Gudain Hussein, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Publicity, Funmi Imuetinyan, Professor Utsev stressed President Tinubu’s strong commitment to enhancing food production. He recalled that the declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security marked a bold national effort to improve food self-sufficiency and attract sustained investment across the agricultural value chain.
“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is ready to work closely with FAO through our Department of Irrigation and Drainage to actualize this vision,” Utsev said.
He also highlighted the importance of the upcoming FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative and the Investment Summit, scheduled for September 16–18, 2025, in Abuja, describing them as vital platforms for mobilizing investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
In his remarks, Dr. Hussein explained that the forum—themed “Investment in Irrigation and Water Resources”—will play a critical role in shaping agricultural strategy in the Sahel region. He noted that agriculture consumes nearly 90% of all water resources, thereby positioning the Ministry as a key player in the FAO’s broader strategy for sustainable development.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and support countries like Nigeria in attracting investments in irrigation, water resources, and other agricultural interventions,” said Dr. Hussein. “We’re looking at a mix of grants, loans, and capacity-building efforts to improve productivity and resilience.”
He also proposed the establishment of a technical committee between FAO and the Ministry to develop a policy framework that would guide future collaborations, particularly in areas such as livestock development, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and public-private partnerships in food systems.
Both parties expressed optimism that the partnership would yield tangible results in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges. Professor Utsev reiterated the government’s commitment to aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda by ensuring sustainable agricultural growth through improved water management and infrastructure development.
