By Kingsley Benson
In one of the largest public investments in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the federal government has announced the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) with N1.5 trillion and set aside an additional N200 billion for direct agricultural interventions.
Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, disclosed these commitments recently during a high-level bilateral meeting with officials from The Gambia at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the recapitalisation is aimed at giving farmers across Nigeria better access to affordable credit, mechanisation tools, and tailored financial services—an approach the government sees as vital to securing the country’s food systems. “This is more than funding; it is a deliberate move to empower our farmers, transform agricultural productivity, and build a resilient food economy,” Mr. Kyari said.
He noted that the N200 billion allocation will support critical agricultural programmes already in motion, including the nationwide distribution of 2.15 million bags of fertiliser—a strategic input required to boost yields and reduce reliance on imports.
A Regional Model in the Making
The Gambian delegation led by Gambian Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Demba Sabally, commended Nigeria’s agricultural framework and called for greater collaboration between both nations, especially in rice cultivation and mechanisation. “We have seen the Nigerian model in action -from out grower schemes to efficient post-harvest systems. Our target to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2030 feels closer now, and we are requesting a Rice Ambassador from Nigeria to help us implement these lessons,” Sabally said.
The Gambian’s Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, Nyangado Alhagie, described the visit as “transformational,” noting that Nigeria’s experience could fast-track The Gambia’s transition to more sustainable farming methods.
A Renewed Focus on Food Security
Mr. Kyari attributed the renewed focus on agriculture to President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 declaration of a food security emergency, which has since catalysed new reforms and redirected national attention toward achieving self-reliance in food production.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to assist West African neighbours through joint technical missions and regional frameworks under ECOWAS. “Our strategy is built around four pillars – sustainable mechanisation, youth inclusion, food sovereignty, and evidence-based policymaking,” Mr. Kyari said, stating that the government is developing a national registry to digitally map 42 million farming households for better planning and support.
“This is not just an investment in farmers; it’s an investment in peace, prosperity, and the future of Nigeria,” he said.
A Continental Blueprint
Also speaking at the event, Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi, said that Nigeria’s increasing capacity in rice production could serve as a blueprint for other African nations.
He applauded the Gambia-Nigeria partnership as a “model of intra-African cooperation” that reflects a growing belief that Africa’s food future will be shaped by shared knowledge, joint investments, and strong political will.
With the recapitalisation of the BoA and direct funding for farmers, the government appears determined to not only improve productivity at home but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in sustainable agriculture and food security.
