CAADP’S Kampala declaration will drive the agriculture sector – Ogunbiyi
The Permanent Secretary, FMAFS, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi and other stakeholders during the National Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on Strategic Action Plan on CAADP Kampala Declaration
Omeiza Bilal
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Secuirty, (FMAFS), Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi has said that the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration (2026–2035) would ensure a fundamental shift toward agro-industrialization, value addition, resilient and sustainable food systems.
The Permanent Secretary made this disclosure during the National Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop on the Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), held in Abuja on Monday, 25th May 2026.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi revealed that the Kampala Declaration represents a renewed continental commitment by African Heads of State and Government to accelerate agricultural transformation, strengthen food systems, promote climate resilience, enhance intra-African trade, empower women and youth, and improve livelihoods across the continent
He noted that the initiative would build upon the gains and lessons of the Malabo Declaration while responding to emerging realities such as climate change, global food disruptions, insecurity, and economic pressures affecting agricultural production systems.
He stated that ‘’the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration comes at a very critical moment in our national development journey, Agriculture remains central to economic diversification, employment generation, poverty reduction, industrial growth, and national stability’’
Ogunbiyi pointed out that ‘as Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s major agricultural producers, Nigeria has a responsibility to align continental aspirations with practical national strategies capable of delivering measurable outcomes for our farmers and citizens’’.
He revealed that ‘the workshop therefore provides an important platform for collective reflection, strategic engagement, and consensus-building toward the development of a robust and implementable Strategic Action Plan for Nigeria’’.
He tasked the stakeholders to ensure that ‘’the process must be inclusive, evidence-based, and result-oriented. It must also reflect the realities and priorities of our nation while aligning with regional and continental frameworks’’.
He highlighted key reforms and strategic investments being implemented by the Federal Government, namely the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative, supported by the African Development Bank and other development partners, as a major intervention aimed at linking agricultural production to processing, storage, logistics, and market access through integrated agro-industrial corridors.
He also mentioned the operationalization of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), a strategic financing mechanism established to mobilize and channel long-term investments across agricultural value chains through a blend of public and private sector financing.
He further noted that the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has continued to strengthen the nation’s agricultural export ecosystem by improving export certification processes for 30 priority agro-commodities, thereby ensuring compliance with international phytosanitary standards and enhancing access to premium global markets.
The Permanent Secretary urged participants to contribute meaningfully by sharing practical ideas, experiences, and recommendations that will strengthen the Strategic Action Plan.
According to him, ‘’we must collectively identify clear priorities, realistic implementation pathways, financing mechanisms, monitoring frameworks, and accountability structures that will ensure successful delivery over the next decade’’.
He appreciated the support of development partners and technical collaborators who continue to work with Nigeria in advancing agricultural development initiatives.
In his welcome remarks, the Country Programme Leader, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Dr. Oliver Kirui, stated that Nigeria, as one of Africa’s largest economies and agricultural producers, has a critical role to play in translating continental aspirations into practical national action
He added that IFPRI would continue to support the Ministry and other national stakeholders in leading the development of Nigeria’s CAADP Strategic Action Plan for the implementation of the Kampala Declaration.
In attendance were the Country Director, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), representatives of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), among others
