Victoria Mbangwa
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has declared Nigeria’s rice sector “ripe for investment,” urging stakeholders to channel resources into mechanization, processing, and climate-smart technologies to unlock its full potential.
This call was made during the 2025 Annual Rice Sector Review meeting themed “Reviewing Progress, Mobilizing Partnership” held in Abuja. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, represented by the Director of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun, highlighted the strides Nigeria has made in rice production, citing improved yields, wider adoption of better seed varieties, and growing participation of youth and women in the value chain.
“Processing capacity has expanded greater participation of youth and women is soaring in the rice value chain. These are milestones we must be proud of and make an effort to sustain,” he said.
Dr. Ogunbiyi emphasized that the rice sector is now positioned for transformation into a globally competitive industry, provided that adequate technical and financial support is mobilized. He identified investment opportunities in mechanization, modern milling facilities, and climate-resilient production systems.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, who also addressed participants, stressed that the rice sector agenda aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting local producers to compete globally.
“Our objective is to support local production, empower producers in agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, and processors to compete globally,” he said.
Representatives from the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Africa Rice, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) also participated in the event.
Regional Adviser for CARD, Mr. Mike Nasamu, noted that rice remains a vital staple in Nigeria and commended the review meeting as a pathway toward building a more sustainable food system.
