Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that recent disruptions in global trade and the rise of protectionist policies serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to prioritize domestic food production and self-reliance in trade,Daily Trust reports.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during the signing of the financing agreement for the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN), Shettima described the initiative as a strategic response to the economic challenges facing the northern region.
With the signing of the agreement, the $158.15 million VCN project will now move into its implementation phase. The project is aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and boosting value addition for farmers across nine northern states. It is jointly funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Nigerian government.
According to the Vice President, the programme is designed to significantly reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and build resilience among vulnerable rural populations in Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Highlighting recent developments, Shettima noted that the government had already begun laying foundations for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) nationwide. He emphasized that the VCN initiative will complement these zones by providing a consistent supply of raw materials, eliminating the shortage of quality inputs for processors.
“This alignment,” he said, “will enable us to move from exporting raw materials to exporting value-added products—generating jobs, creating wealth, and stabilizing our industrial landscape.”
Shettima stressed that the global shift toward protectionism, particularly in the agricultural sector, underscores the urgency for Nigeria to become more self-sufficient.
“The agricultural tariffs and retaliatory policies between global powers like the U.S. and China have disrupted commodity chains. For a country dependent on food imports, the lesson is unmistakable: we must grow what we eat and produce what we trade,” he said.
He further explained that the VCN programme directly addresses this challenge. By supporting the commercial cultivation of key crops like wheat and maize, and enhancing infrastructure for irrigation, processing, and storage—especially in states like Kebbi and Jigawa—Nigeria is positioning itself not only for food security but also for agricultural exports that could rival its oil sector.
“What sets this programme apart,” Shettima added, “is its focus on marginalized groups—women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returnees. It recognizes that in communities affected by conflict, agriculture is more than a livelihood; it’s a pathway to rehabilitation and peace.”
Earlier in the event, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, speaking on behalf of the National Assembly, applauded IFAD, the federal government, and other partners for launching the initiative. He described it as a visionary programme with the potential to transform lives and uplift communities across northern Nigeria and beyond.
