The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a $158.15 million financing agreement for the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN) to revolutionise agriculture sector in the country.
The initiative is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Government of Nigeria.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima, described the initiative as a product of critical thinking on the economic reality of the northern region of Nigeria.
He said that the project was a fulfilment of the promise made by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reduce poverty in Nigeria, restore dignity to the nation’s farmers, and ensure food security.
“It is a declaration of faith in the North—not as a region of deficits, but as a place of abundance.
“It also invites us to play our part in fulfilling the promise to reduce poverty, nourish our people, and restore dignity to farming families across Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Yobe, and Zamfara.
“What has brought us together today is an investment of 158.15 million dollars, co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and other stakeholders.
“This reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to prioritising what matters most—people, productivity, and prosperity,” he said.
Shettima recalled that the Tinubu administration recently commenced foundation laying for the construction of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across Nigeria.
He said the VCN programme would feed into the SAPZs, serving as “a steady pipeline of raw materials and ensuring our processors no longer grope for quality inputs.
“This synergy will shift us from exporting raw produce to exporting value-added goods—creating jobs, wealth, and industrial stability,” he added.
Shettima said that the federal government would deploy digital tools to track every step from farmer registration to market access and input distribution to yield analysis.
He assured that in regions where migration and insecurity are fuelled by joblessness, the VCN provides vehicles for enterprise, income, and dignity.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, said that the signing of the financing agreement represented a significant milestone in the efforts to transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria.
He said the participation of the nine states and the presence of other critical stakeholders underscored the commitment of the sub-nationals and the federal government in fostering inclusivity in agricultural development.
The minister expressed confidence that the VCN will deliver programmes and projects that will improve agricultural productivity and the overall well-being of small-holder farmers, farmer groups, and women across the region.
In her remarks, Dede Ekoue, the Country Director of IFAD, described the programme as a $158.15m project designed to transform agribusiness in nine northern states.
She said that the interventions would focus on climate smart agriculture, leveraging innovative technologies, improving post-harvest handling and value chain addition.
The IFAD Director said that the project would create over 30,000 jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for youths, women and vulnerable groups.
GIK/APA