The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector through new policies aimed at promoting food security, job creation, and economic diversification.
Speaking at a one-day public hearing on three key agricultural bills—the Cassava Flour (Mandatory Inclusion in Flours Production) Bill, the National Food Reserves Agency Bill, and the Rice Development Council of Nigeria Bill—the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, GCFR, represented by Senator Tahir Monguno, said the proposed programs are designed to boost productivity, deepen value addition, and promote sustainable development in the sector.
“The 10th Senate is deeply committed to ensuring food security and job creation. We invite producers, millers, and bakers to leverage these opportunities to produce more and contribute to the nation’s food sufficiency,” Senator Monguno stated.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, explained that the bills aim to harness Nigeria’s abundance of cassava to create jobs, strengthen smallholder farmers, and stabilize rice prices. He said the initiatives would also help diversify the economy and create sustainable markets for local produce.
In his presentation, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, noted that the Cassava Flour Production Bill will significantly enhance Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. He described cassava as one of the country’s most commercially viable crops with great potential for export and industrial use.
“Cassava has the highest production capacity among our crops. That is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, envisions Nigeria producing over fifty million tonnes of cassava annually,” the Minister said.
He assured stakeholders that the Ministry remains committed to empowering local farmers, improving productivity, and strengthening institutional frameworks to achieve lasting food security across the country. Kyari emphasized that with the right support, Nigeria could reduce its dependence on food imports and build stronger agricultural value chains that support jobs and rural development.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus O. Ogunbiyi, stressed the importance of policy alignment and institutional efficiency. He noted that the proposed National Food Reserve Agency (NAFRA) should complement the Ministry’s existing functions rather than duplicate them. According to him, “Strengthening current systems before creating new ones is vital to ensuring sustainable results.”
Stakeholders at the hearing expressed broad support for the bills and called for inclusive implementation that addresses the needs of all categories of farmers. Hajiya Maryam Lawan, representing the Women Farmers Association of Nigeria (WOFAN), urged lawmakers to prioritize greater participation of women in agricultural programs and decision-making processes.
Mustapha Othman Bakano, President of the Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria, said the legislation would create employment opportunities across the country’s 774 local government areas. He revealed that the association has already secured farmland nationwide to expand cassava cultivation and reduce dependence on imported wheat for flour production.
Similarly, Aliyu Mustapha, President of the Onion Farmers Association of Nigeria, appealed for the speedy passage of the bills, noting that they would help farmers improve production capacity and develop better storage systems for perishable crops.
Senator Mustapha assured participants that all contributions would be reviewed before the next legislative stage. He reiterated the Senate’s resolve to ensure that the final versions of the bills reflect the collective aspirations of Nigeria’s agricultural community.
“These bills represent a national effort to strengthen our food systems, empower farmers, and position agriculture as the backbone of our economy,” he said.