The Federal Government has intensified its strategic partnership with Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The collaboration is centered around the swift implementation of the Food Security Emergency Loan Support Programme, valued at approximately $110 million (JPY 15 billion).
The high-level meeting, held in Abuja, brought together the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, alongside senior officials from JICA. Their discussion focused on accelerating action to revitalize Nigeria’s food production sector amid mounting global challenges.
With the rainy season underway, both ministers emphasized the urgent need to deploy the funds efficiently to support smallholder farmers and strengthen local food systems. The loan is expected to be a game-changer in enhancing agricultural resilience, especially in the face of climate change, disrupted supply chains, and rising input costs affecting food production across the nation.
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JICA officials commended Nigeria’s proactive approach to rolling out the programme, reinforcing Japan’s long-standing support for sustainable development in Africa. They stressed the importance of transparency and mutual understanding in refining the programme’s implementation framework to align with local needs and global best practices.
As part of the agreement, core farming operations under the initiative are set to begin immediately to ensure timely impact. Both sides also agreed to review and fine-tune auxiliary elements of the programme, including aggregation strategies and financial structures, to ensure full alignment with the programme’s original vision.
This renewed commitment between Nigeria and Japan marks a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural reform agenda. Beyond its immediate benefits for food availability and rural livelihoods, the initiative signals a deepening of diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations, with long-term benefits for trade, sustainability, and food sovereignty.
At a time when food insecurity continues to threaten millions across the region, the Nigeria-Japan food security partnership offers a model of international cooperation in action—aimed at securing a better, more food-secure future for every Nigerian.
