Abuja, Nigeria – 7th May 2025
In a landmark step toward food systems transformation, the Federal Government has launched the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM)—a strategic coordination platform that will unify agribusiness efforts across ministries, state governments, private sector actors, and development partners. The mechanism, facilitated by the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU), is designed to promote investment-ready, evidence-based policy decisions that strengthen food security and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Vice President, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President) emphasized that the NAPM reflects the vision and leadership of His Excellency the President for a robust agribusiness economy.
“This mechanism is the result of the President’s steadfast commitment to reforming how we approach food and agribusiness development and the economy at large in this country. Under the strategic guidance of the Chair of the PFSCU, the Vice President, the PFSCU has worked tirelessly to bring stakeholders together, and today’s launch marks the beginning of a new era in how we plan, invest, and deliver on food security.”
The Deputy Chief of Staff noted that NAPM is not just a policy tool, but a structure that reflects a shift in mindset—toward shared responsibility, transparency, and joint action.
“With NAPM, we will align state and federal efforts, integrate trade and industry priorities, and make better use of the data at our disposal. This is how we ensure Nigeria becomes both food secure and economically competitive.”
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment delivered a goodwill message recognizing the importance mechanism in shaping a unified economic strategy: “Agribusiness sits at the intersection of food and industry. With this mechanism, we are creating the linkages between farm and factory, between production and trade. It will help us design smarter policies and create the environment for private investment to thrive.”
Similarly, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security described the mechanism as timely and transformational: “NAPM gives us the structure to not just grow more food, but to do so strategically. This is how we target resources, support farmers, and unlock agribusiness potential across the country.”
The launch was attended by the Governors of Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Borno, and Kebbi States. Governors delivered goodwill messages, expressing strong support for integrating the mechanism at subnational levels. “This is a mechanism we’ve long needed. With the NAPM, we can now plan alongside the Federal Government, reduce duplication, and ensure our farmers and agro-industries benefit from coordinated support,” said one Governor.
Also present were members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and heads of leading private and development institutions including the Managing Directors of BUA Group and OCP Africa, the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET),
Director General of National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) and the leadership of the Nigeria Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
The event also drew broad diplomatic and international institutional representation, including Ambassadors from Brazil, Vietnam, Turkey, and South Korea, as well as representatives of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
In a major institutional development, the PFSCU and the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) signed a formal agreement at the launch, under which PFSCU will support NAERLS to strengthen its capacity to conduct pre-season and post-season surveys. This collaboration aims to generate timely, accurate, and actionable data to guide the planning and assessment components of the NAPM.
In addition, Pula Advisors announced a strategic partnership with PFSCU to support State Governments in expanding climate insurance coverage for farmers. Through this initiative, PFSCU will coordinate access to matching grant funds for insurance premiums, helping states mitigate the growing risks associated with climate variability and extreme weather events.
The NAPM will serve as the national platform for agribusiness policy coherence—supporting investment tracking, coordinated financing, transparent data sharing, and harmonized responses to food system challenges. It is a practical step in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensuring that agribusiness becomes a true engine of job creation, industrialization, and national stability.
As the Vice President continues to steer the implementation of the bold food systems reforms championed by His Excellency, the President, today’s launch reflects a commitment to translating that vision into sustained action—anchored in partnership, performance, and a clear pathway to impact.
About the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU)
Established in June 2024, the PFSCU is a high-level initiative anchored in the Presidency and designed as an incubation and fast-track mechanism under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Guided by a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, the Unit works to identify and resolve systemic bottlenecks while providing targeted support to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across all three tiers of government, as well as other key stakeholders. Its core mandate is to accelerate the implementation of priority initiatives that deliver tangible results in food security, agricultural industrialization, and sustainable economic growth.
For media inquiries,
contact: PFSCU Communications Unit
Stakeholder.relations@pfscu.gov.ng