Nigeria, Brazil Advance Agro-Trade Partnership as Market Access Implementation Begins
Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that Nigeria and Brazil have moved beyond diplomatic engagements to the implementation phase of their bilateral agro-trade and agricultural cooperation, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen trade, food security and investment between the two countries.
Speaking on Monday during a high-level Nigeria–Brazil Agro-Trade Market Access Milestone meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President said both nations had successfully transitioned from negotiations to concrete action under the Nigeria-Brazil Agro-Trade Initiative.
The meeting was attended by a Brazilian delegation led by the country’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André Carlos Alves de Paula Filho.
Shettima, who co-chairs the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) alongside Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, expressed satisfaction with the progress made, saying the groundwork had now been completed for private sector operators in both countries to commence trade under the partnership.
According to him, the success recorded demonstrates the commitment of both governments to transforming agreements into practical outcomes that will benefit farmers, businesses and citizens.
“We have moved with deliberate steps from dialogue to delivery, from agreements to implementation, and from shared ambition to outcomes that can be counted, weighed and shipped. This is precisely how enduring partnerships evolve,” the Vice President said.
He noted that the achievements followed the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Brazil and the sustained engagements under the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.
Shettima highlighted the operationalisation of the Joint Agriculture and Livestock Technical Working Group, with specialised sub-groups focusing on dairy and livestock genetics, soybean production, agricultural policy and agro-climatic risk zoning.
He recalled that during President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil, both leaders acknowledged that agricultural trade between Nigeria and Brazil remained significantly below its potential and directed relevant institutions to identify opportunities capable of expanding bilateral trade, investment and technical cooperation.
The Vice President described the latest breakthroughs as the product of months of technical collaboration involving government ministries, regulatory agencies, experts and private sector stakeholders in both countries.
He also commended the Brazilian government for strengthening its agricultural engagement with Nigeria through the appointment of an Agricultural Attaché and increased collaboration with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA).
According to him, such initiatives have accelerated technical cooperation and translated policy discussions into practical programmes that will benefit farmers and agribusinesses.
Shettima urged Nigerian farmers, processors, exporters and cooperatives to take advantage of the expanding market opportunities by meeting international standards and adding value to agricultural products before export.
In his remarks, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André Carlos Alves de Paula Filho, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening agricultural cooperation with Nigeria.
He disclosed that Brazil was finalising phytosanitary certification processes that would pave the way for imports of Nigerian hibiscus, sesame and shea butter into the Brazilian market.
He added that Brazilian authorities would also facilitate business engagements between Nigerian exporters and potential buyers in Brazil to create commercial opportunities for the products.
Also speaking, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State described the partnership as timely, noting that Jigawa accounts for about 75 per cent of Nigeria’s non-oil exports.
He assured that the state government would support the successful implementation of the Nigeria-Brazil agricultural partnership.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the renewed partnership reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding agricultural exports and strengthening Nigeria’s food security agenda.
He described Brazil as a global model in agricultural transformation, expressing confidence that the collaboration would significantly boost Nigeria’s agricultural productivity, value addition and export potential.
The Nigeria-Brazil Agro-Trade Initiative forms part of broader efforts by both countries to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, livestock development, food security, trade and investment, while creating new economic opportunities for farmers and businesses.
Nigeria, Brazil Advance Agro-Trade Partnership as Market Access Implementation Begins