VP heads to Ethiopia with 3-goal plan: Thought leadership, global partnerships & private-sector solutions*
Abuja/Addis Ababa – Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Ethiopia for the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit, where Nigeria will push for radical reforms to tackle food insecurity, boost agricultural value chains, and attract critical investments to transform Africa’s food economy.
Nigeria’s 3-Pronged Agenda
1. Thought Leadership: Position Nigeria as Africa’s voice on food system innovation
2. Global Partnerships: Align UN/EU funding with local farming priorities
3. Private Sector Mobilization: Shift from government-led to business-driven solutions
Key Summit Focus Areas:
Coffee Value Chain: Unlocking Nigeria’s untapped $500M export potential
Climate-Smart Farming: Drought-resistant crops for northern regions
Food Data Systems: Tech-driven solutions to reduce 35% post-harvest losses
Why This Matters for Nigeria
23.5M Nigerians face acute hunger (WFP 2025)
$10B+ yearly food import bill despite arable land
38% unemployment among rural youth
Shettima’s Sideline Diplomacy:
• Ministerial Roundtable: Lobbying for fair trade terms
• Field Visits: Studying Ethiopia’s agricultural cooperatives model
• Networking: courting agri-tech investors from Italy/EU
Quote:
“We’re done with talk shops. This summit must deliver actionable partnerships to put Nigerian farms on the global map.”
— VP Shettima’s briefing memo
Success Stories to Showcase
• Kebbi Rice Revolution: 1.2M metric tons annual production
• Lagos Food Hubs: 40% reduction in urban food waste
• Ogun Agro-Tech Zones: $300M private investments secured
