Tinubu Tells Brazil: Nigeria Dismantling Bottlenecks to Boost Food Production
Copacabana, Brazil | July 6, 2025 – IDNN Political Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria is aggressively dismantling bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long crippled agricultural and livestock production, as part of a bold reform agenda aimed at food security and export capacity.
Speaking in Rio de Janeiro during a high-level bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Tinubu pledged that all technical delays in trade, agriculture, and food agreements between Nigeria and Brazil would be “streamlined and fast-tracked.”
“Nigeria is ready for a strong partnership and immediate action to stimulate food production,” Tinubu said.
“All bottlenecks in livestock development, poultry, fisheries, and agricultural investment will be eliminated.”
Blueprint for Agro-Industrial Reform
President Tinubu stressed that agriculture remains central to his administration’s economic revitalization plan, noting that Nigeria possesses a competitive advantage in several key agro-value chains, including fertilizer production.
He revealed that Nigeria is actively developing policies to unlock subnational participation in the food system, placing responsibility on state governors to complement federal efforts.
Brazil, one of the world’s agricultural powerhouses, was praised for its research-driven productivity. Tinubu signaled Nigeria’s readiness to adopt similar models through joint ventures and technology transfers.
Nigeria Seeks Brazil’s Agricultural Expertise
Accompanying the president was Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, who reiterated Tinubu’s long-standing insistence on achieving food sovereignty. He highlighted the need for global partnerships to bridge domestic capacity gaps.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, outlined three key partnership areas with Brazil:
-
Veterinary health and disease control
-
Sanitary and food safety standards
-
Advanced genetic breeding and livestock research
Also in attendance were Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and National Intelligence Agency DG, Mohammed Mohammed, signaling the geopolitical weight of the talks.
Governors Rally Behind National Agro Agenda
The governors of five states—Benue, Ogun, Delta, Lagos, and Niger—joined the Nigerian delegation. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that subnationals were “fully aligned” with the Tinubu government’s goal of transforming agriculture into a revenue-generating and job-creating sector.
“Including a business forum in this presidential visit is a game-changer,” Abiodun said.
“We need fresh ideas and resources to unlock the sector.”
President Lula da Silva, for his part, described Nigeria as a “natural partner” and agreed that bureaucratic red tape must be dismantled to unleash the full potential of bilateral cooperation.
Blue Economy, Mining, Energy Tied to Reform Push
Beyond food production, Tinubu hinted at a broader development agenda. Trade, energy transition, blue economy assets, and mining were also on the table. He noted that Nigeria’s maritime resources—especially fisheries—would be better harnessed under the new reform drive.
IDNN ANALYSIS:
Tinubu’s Brazil visit signals a recalibration of Nigeria’s foreign economic policy: less talk, more trade. But success will hinge on fast, visible reforms at home.
📡 Follow IDNN Politics for updates on Nigeria’s global partnerships and local reform implementation.