Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria and Brazil have moved from dialogue to delivery and from agreements to implementation in their bilateral agro-trade and agriculture partnership, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen trade, food security and investment between both countries.
Speaking during a high-level Nigeria–Brazil Agro-Trade Market Access Milestone meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President said the achievements recorded under the Nigeria–Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism demonstrate the commitment of both governments to translating diplomatic engagements into tangible economic outcomes.
Shettima, who co-chairs the Nigeria–Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism alongside Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, said the milestones have cleared the way for private sector operators in both countries to commence trade in key agricultural commodities covered by the partnership.
He noted that the Joint Agriculture and Livestock Technical Working Group is now operational, with specialised sub-groups focusing on dairy and livestock genetics, soybean productivity, agricultural policy and agro-climatic risk zoning.
The Vice President recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had directed both governments to deepen agricultural trade, investment and technical cooperation during President Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil.
According to Shettima, the progress recorded so far is the result of months of collaboration among government ministries, regulatory agencies, technical experts and private sector stakeholders from both countries.
Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André Carlos Alves de Paula Filho, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding market access for Nigerian agricultural products, announcing that Brazil is in the final stages of preparing the phytosanitary certification required to facilitate imports of Nigerian hibiscus, sesame and shea butter.
He added that Brazil would also support Nigerian exporters by linking them with potential buyers to create new commercial opportunities in the Brazilian market.
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State welcomed the partnership, noting that the state accounts for a significant share of Nigeria’s non-oil exports and is committed to supporting the initiative.
Also speaking, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described Brazil as a global model in agricultural transformation and said the renewed partnership under President Tinubu’s administration is expected to accelerate agricultural exports, enhance food security and drive economic growth.
