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Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government has sought FAO’s support to boost food security by recharging the Lake Chad Basin and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural systems.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made the appeal during a bilateral meeting with the FAO Director General, Dr. QU Dongyu, on the sidelines of the 2025 World Food Forum held recently in Rome, Italy.
Kyari said continued partnership with FAO would “boost agricultural productivity, promote sustainable development and increase employment opportunities for Nigerian farmers as well as achieve food and nutrition security.”
He stated that the collaboration would also help expand irrigation systems to improve water management and build resilience among smallholder farmers, ensuring year-round food production.
The minister restated Nigeria’s request for FAO’s technical and financial support toward recharging the Lake Chad Basin – a project long considered crucial to restoring livelihoods, agribusiness activities, and food security in the region.
Once one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes, Lake Chad has shrunk by over 90 per cent since the 1960s due to climate change, unsustainable water use, and desertification.
The decline has severely affected millions of people across Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, leading to food shortages, loss of grazing land, and increased insecurity. Efforts to recharge the lake – including proposals to divert water from the Congo Basin – have remained central to regional discussions on food security and stability.
Kyari stressed the need to strengthen agricultural mechanization initiatives to improve efficiency, productivity, and value addition in rural farming communities.
He also highlighted the importance of FAO’s assistance in establishing a comprehensive national farmers’ database to guide policy planning, resource allocation, and effective monitoring of agricultural programs.
The minister appealed for increased employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians within FAO’s headquarters and global offices, noting the country’s commitment to agricultural transformation and food security.
In response, FAO Director General Dr. QU Dongyu reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria. He pledged continued support for the nation’s agricultural priorities and joint efforts to advance food security, climate resilience, and rural prosperity.