“The success of SURAGGWA will depend on strong technical coordination, shared ownership, and sustained collaboration among all partners. This Working Group is not just a coordination platform; it is the foundation for translating our shared commitments into practical action and measurable results for communities affected by climate change and land degradation,” said Dr. Gadain

The USD 350000 FAO-supported programme will enhance early detection and diagnostic capacity, strengthen biosecurity measures in farms and live bird markets, and improve risk communication to farmers. The project will further contribute to strengthening national systems to meet international standards for animal health and trade. It will also support coordination between key institutions, including theFederal Ministry of Livestock Development, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and State Veterinary Services, to better manage disease spread. 

Hands on practical sessions enabled participants to analyze land use and land use change dynamics using Collect Earth and Saiku, validate datasets, and apply standardized data export, backup, and reporting procedures. Group work and peer review sessions allowed participants to identify trends, resolve analytical challenges, and agree on reporting approaches aligned with national and global frameworks

The animal health campaign, which dewormed animals belonging to 9 536 households, was one pillar of a broader FAO response funded through the Government of Norway through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities (SFERA). At the heart of the intervention was live goat distribution programme targeting 250 women in Jere LGA. Each beneficiary received one male and one female goat, selected for their breeding potential to help households rebuild herds and restore lost assets. The support was paired with training in animal husbandry, ensuring families could manage and grow their livestock sustainably. 

The Smart Tomato Value Chain Enhancement Project is expected to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses, increase access to  knowledge and skills  to producers and processors, generate employment across women and youths through the establishment of three processing hubs with the aim to stimulate agribusiness growth well as addressing the state wide gap in the development of a multi-year State Agriculture, Livelihood and Natural Resources Development Strategy significantly reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize market supply, empower women and youth, and strengthen Kaduna’s position as a leading tomato producing state in Nigeria

Nasarawa State is one of Nigeria’s major rice-producing hubs, yet limited access to quality and affordable seed continues to constrain productivity. High seed costs, weak last-mile distribution systems, and the reuse of paddy from previous harvests have contributed to yield losses of up to 50 percent among smallholder farmers. The FAO-supported project seeks to address these challenges by promoting a sustainable, community-based seed production system that improves farmers’ access to certified rice seeds and enhances productivity.

Discussions over the two days focused on presenting evidence-based investment opportunities, identifying policy and financing gaps, and strengthening partnerships across government, the private sector and development partners. Participants also explored how the Red Meat and Coconut value chains align with national agrifood priorities and the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

The timing for disseminating the NASS is apt, as Nigeria progresses towards achieving food security, promoting climate-smart agriculture, expanding access to finance, and building more competitive value chains, the insights from the survey will be instrumental in informing policy decisions, directing strategic investments, and shaping impactful development programs

According to the analysis, the worsening situation is driven by a combination of factors, persistent conflicts and violence in some of the renowned food production belts, economic shocks, armed violence, and organized crimes continue to erode resilience and deepen vulnerabilities in the north-central states of Benue, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau, while the northwestern states of Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna are also affected. The north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba are also affected.

Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, in his opening remarks at the national forum, emphasized that hunger is a shared human challenge that highlights the urgency of global food security. “The Forum reflects our collective commitment to scaling up agricultural solutions. Nigeria’s strength lies in its fertile land and driven youth.

Funded by the Gates Foundation, the programme aims to train at least 225 VPPs by mid-2026, with a focus of having sustainable veterinary enterprises established by the graduates at the close of the programme. The initiative will reach participants and communities in Kaduna, Oyo, and Adamawa States. 

The report notes that rice has benefited from protective trade measures, boosting domestic prices and supporting producers. In contrast, maize and sorghum face persistent disincentives due to weak market integration and restrictive trade policies. Export commodities such as cocoa and cashew continue to struggle with quality control, high logistics costs, and currency misalignment.

During the discussions, the workshop participants identified gaps in distinct areas of Nigeria’s NFMS related to institutional arrangements and reporting and verification of NFMS results, using the FAO’s NFMS assessment tool. In addition to that, Nigeria’s MRV system has been assessed against the requirements of an international carbon standard using the ART TREES assessment tool.

In his new role, Dr. Gadain, will oversee FAO’s strategic engagement with the Government of Nigeria, development partners, and key stakeholders. He will lead the implementation of the FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023–2027, which focuses on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, nutrition, and inclusive rural development.

As a result of these efforts, approximately 40 farmers have successfully accessed about NGN 165 413 677.70 (around USD 105 000) from reputable institutions including BOI and FCMB.   Plans are already underway to expand the program's reach, ensuring that more smallholder fish farmers benefit from improved access to financial resources. 

FAO Nigeria trained stakeholders in the Pig subsector on good emergency management practices and the deployment of social behavioral change materials for effective control of African Swine Fever.

The five-year initiative aims to enhance the conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of lowland forest landscapes that are critical for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs). Nigeria is home to over 4 700 plant species and hundreds of fauna species, yet its biodiversity remains under threat from unsustainable land use, environmental degradation, and the impacts of climate change.

Despite the deployment of proven technologies and innovations at scale by operators at national, sub-national, and international levels, these solutions have often remained localized within specific projects and programs, limiting their impact on Nigeria’s agricultural and food transformation systems. Recognizing this gap, the government and FAO took the bold steps to harmonize existing innovations and create a unified platform for a sustainable agrifood system in Nigeria