Nigeria has embarked on a mega-infrastructure campaign to unlock billions in untapped agricultural wealth and turn the sector into a primary economic powerhouse.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Thursday when he led the Nigerian delegation for the Ethiopia–Nigeria Leadership Exchange on a tour of farms and agricultural facilities in Oromia, Ethiopia.
This is contained in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.
Shettima said the drive is designed to resolve critical supply chain gaps and logistical bottlenecks, de-risk agribusiness, attract investment and ensure long-term food and nutrition security.
He cited Ethiopia’s Oromia model as the template for Africa’s agricultural rebirth, noting that the strategic agribusiness hub provides a blueprint for farming communities.
The Vice President said Ethiopia has transformed its wheat production from importing $1 billion worth of wheat annually to achieving full self-sufficiency and now exporting surplus to neighbouring countries like Djibouti and Kenya. He also noted Ethiopia’s progress in rice production.
According to him, Nigeria plans to leverage Ethiopia’s experience in large-scale, mechanised and modernised production through improved seeds, mechanisation and climate-smart agriculture.
“Food dependency compromises our sovereignty. Without independence in food production, a nation remains incomplete in its sovereignty,” Shettima warned.
He said Nigeria and Ethiopia, with a combined population of over 400 million, have the potential to feed the continent.
“Africa must learn to feed itself. Ethiopia is doing it and Nigeria is on course to do the same. Ethiopia is a success story worthy of emulation,” he said.
“I am overwhelmed with joy that the real economic renaissance of Africa is in the offing. Ethiopia has become the pathfinder, the front runner in us reclaiming our pride and our continent. We are mightily proud of them.”
The Vice President also announced plans for Nigeria to embark on a massive tree-planting campaign starting next rainy season, targeting 20 billion trees, drawing lessons from Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.
“We will embark on a massive tree-planting campaign in the next rainy season. It requires a lot of planning, energy and drive, which Ethiopia was able to galvanize its population into doing,” he said.
Earlier, President of the Oromia Regional State, Shimelis Abdisa, said more than 200 varieties of crops were being cultivated across Ethiopia, while the country had expanded exports of bananas, avocados and coffee.
He said wheat production alone generates more than $3.1 billion annually and is competitive internationally. He also announced a collaboration with the Dangote conglomerate to produce fertilizer for regional farmers and expansion of large-scale poultry production.
During the tour, Shettima visited wheat, banana and papaya farms in the region to examine Ethiopia’s production systems.