By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will fast track the process of starting the Value Chain Development Programme in Northern Nigeria.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima said this during a bilateral meeting with the delegation from IFAD led by its President, Mr Alvaro Lario, on the sidelines of the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Shettima said the programme would improve the livelihoods of rural communities, increase their incomes and access to food.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was committed to reforms and programmes that would reduce poverty and enhance food security in Nigeria.

The vice-president said Tinubu had the courage and conviction to take far reaching decisions in terms of policy reforms.

He said: “On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, we want to register our most profound gratitude for the support we are getting from IFAD.

“We are keenly interested on extending the Special Agro-Processing Zones to other states of the Nigerian federation.

“The Value Chain Development is also an idea whose time has come. We have to fast track the process of kickstarting the programme, because time is of the essence.

“Our population is 230 million and by 2050, we will be the third most populous nation on earth. So, we have to invest in youth because the future belongs to them.

“The average age of the Nigerian nation is 16.9. I want to appeal to you for a genuine partnership that will inspire confidence in the Nigerian nation and the president is very committed to reform.”

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, expressed appreciation to IFAD for its support to Nigeria over the years.

Kyari said, “We are seeing measurable outcomes and the successes of the IFAD projects in Nigeria.

“It is not something that is on documents or paper and the Regional Director has been helpful and of course the Country Director, Dr Dede Ekoue, is wonderful. She keeps everybody on their toes.”

Earlier, Lario said the organisation was working assiduously to accelerate the implementation of the value chain development programme in Northern Nigeria.

He said, “And I think we are only pending for the signing of the financing agreement.

“So, once that is done, I think we can accelerate and start because I know the needs are high and we need to fast track implementation.”

Lario assured that IFAD would mobilise more finance for Nigeria, not only from its side but from climate fund, other multilateral agencies and governments that were interested in supporting the project being implemented in Nigeria.

He said the relationship between Nigeria and IFAD was going very well, disclosing that he would visit Nigeria in September 2025, to meet Tinubu. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani