Nigeria Unveils Bold Policies to Transform Food Systems and Combat Climate Change

Nigeria is charting a new course for food security and sustainable agriculture, unveiling proactive policies designed to unlock climate-resilient agrifood systems, restore ecosystems, and secure dignified livelihoods for farmers.

The announcement came from the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, at the High-Level Event on “Unlocking Sustainable Agrifood Systems for Climate, Nature, and Livelihoods” during the UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance Forum in Rome.

Kyari highlighted Nigeria’s collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the Monitoring and Analyzing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) Programme, established in 2022. This partnership, he explained, has provided critical policy insights shaping Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Current initiatives include:

• Distribution of improved seeds to farmers.
• Promotion of sustainable soil management.
• Expansion of agroforestry practices.
• Increased support for climate-smart agriculture.

At the centre of this vision is the National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (NASIP), which seeks to scale up agricultural investment, create jobs, expand access to affordable healthy diets, and cut greenhouse gas emissions while supporting reforestation.

Looking ahead, Kyari emphasised that Nigeria’s forthcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) will align climate commitments with inclusive agricultural transformation. The focus will be on regenerative farming, land restoration, and empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth.

He also outlined the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which integrates climate adaptation into agriculture, water, health, and infrastructure, while prioritising community-led and ecosystem-based solutions.

Nigeria is further leveraging Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to establish carbon trading policies and market mechanisms, positioning climate-smart agriculture and ecosystem restoration as vehicles for carbon credits and results-based finance.

Key development projects supporting resilience include the:

• Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ)
• Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP)
• Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND)
• Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP)
• National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pockets (NAGS-AP)

Kyari stressed the urgent need for scaled-up global financing, calling on international partners such as FAO, IFAD, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to expand concessional support for smallholder-focused, high-impact projects.

Expressing gratitude for technical support from FAO and IFAD through the Food Systems Integrated Programme (FSIP), Kyari underscored the importance of knowledge-sharing and innovation in driving resilient, climate-positive food systems across Nigeria and beyond.