The European Union (EU) has pledged €1 million to support Nigeria’s transition to climate-smart agriculture through a pioneering twinning project aimed at strengthening food security, resilience, and agricultural value chains.
The 12-month initiative, with a potential three-month extension, is being implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and a consortium led by Latvia, in collaboration with the Czech Republic and Austria.
The project will review and enhance Nigeria’s National Agricultural Resilience Framework (NARF) while aligning climate-smart agriculture (CSA) policies with international standards. At the official launch in Abuja, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, emphasized the urgency of the initiative, noting the increasing threats posed by climate change—erratic rainfall, floods, droughts, land degradation, and rising pest infestations—all of which jeopardize agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods.
“Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economy, employing a significant portion of our population and driving food security, poverty reduction, and economic growth,” Abdullahi said. “This project complements the federal government’s agenda to strengthen resilience, boost productivity, and modernize farming systems through climate-smart innovations.”
The minister described the initiative as a milestone in EU–Nigeria cooperation, marking the first twinning project of its kind in the country. He highlighted that while agriculture is the backbone of the nation’s economy, it faces mounting challenges from climate variability and emerging threats to food production.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, explained that the programme would provide technical expertise and policy guidance to bridge gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural framework, ensuring that policies deliver tangible benefits to farmers and agribusinesses.
“This project directly addresses the need for stronger institutions and well-implemented policies,” Mignot said. “It will support a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s agricultural resilience framework to deliver practical improvements for farmers and communities.”
The initiative will also enhance institutional coordination, promote evidence-based policymaking, and integrate climate-smart practices across Nigeria’s food systems, improving both sustainability and competitiveness in the agricultural sector.
Key areas of focus include policy review, institutional strengthening, and the deployment of climate-smart technical solutions such as advanced soil data systems, sustainable nutrient management, integrated pest management, OECD-aligned seed certification, and improved pest surveillance mechanisms.
Additionally, the twinning project will support training programs and study tours for Nigerian experts, fostering capacity building and peer-to-peer learning to ensure long-term impact across the sector.
