Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
He emphasised the pivotal role of research institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in achieving food security.
Speaking during an assessment visit to IITA’s headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday, Shettima stressed that the administration is taking concrete steps to address food production challenges.
“The Tinubu administration has taken the bull by the horns and is walking the talk on food security,” he stated.
Shettima expressed confidence in IITA’s capacity to drive agricultural innovation, citing its five decades of contributions to food security and economic development across Africa.
He noted that despite the institute’s vast expertise, Nigeria has yet to fully utilize its potential.
“It’s better late than never. That is why the President insisted that my humble self, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, and other key officials visit this facility to give him a firsthand report,” Shettima said.
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The Vice President underscored the urgency of looking inward, especially in light of dwindling foreign grants supporting Nigeria’s agricultural and health sectors.
However, Simeon Ehui, Director-General of IITA, highlighted the institute’s ongoing initiatives, including improving farmers’ access to climate-resilient seeds and advanced agricultural technologies.
“Our innovative partnerships have enhanced cassava, maize, and cowpea production, ensuring Nigerian farmers benefit from high-yield, climate-resilient crops,” Ehui explained.
He noted that IITA’s efforts are positively impacting both small-scale and commercial farmers.
In the Northeast, for instance, a USAID-backed program has established community-based enterprises focused on youth and women’s participation in agriculture.
Ehui also unveiled the newly established Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health at IITA’s headquarters, which will serve as a catalyst for sustainable fertilizer use and improved soil management.
Furthermore, IITA has been instrumental in crisis response, collaborating with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit to tackle the recent ginger blight epidemic.
During the visit, Shettima and his delegation—including Abubakar Kyari, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusinesses and Productivity Enhancement, Kingsley Uzoma, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Southwest), Moremi Ojudu—toured key IITA facilities.
Among the sites visited were the Seed Multiplication Centre for yam and cassava and the Business Incubation Platform (BIP), which are designed to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural productivity.
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