Nigeria is set to commence the export of 200,000 metric tonnes of red meat and 1 million tonnes of soya beans to Saudi Arabia as part of a substantial trade agreement with the Asian nation.
Abubakar Kyari, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made this announcement to State House Correspondents following the June session of the National Economic Council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The Minister explained that Saudi Arabia had formally requested these quantities following discussions initiated by President Tinubu during his attendance at the Saudi-African Summit in November 2023.
“I briefed the Council on the efforts of the President in trying to be the marketer-in-chief of Nigeria when he attended the Saudi-Africa Summit in November 2023, where I on the sidelines met with my counterpart the Minister of Agriculture of Saudi Arabia and discussed the areas of partnership in the agricultural space,” stated Minister Kyari.
He continued, “He later paid a return two-day visit to Nigeria where we exposed him to all our agri-business entrepreneurs and they had far-reaching discussions and shortly after he left, Saudi Arabia sent us an expression of interest that they want 200, 000 metric tons of red meat every year and one million tons of soya.
“We had already last week had a meeting with our entrepreneurs and we have come out with a road map where we can supply and satisfy that demand,” he concluded.
Minister Kyari also highlighted domestic agricultural initiatives, including the distribution of 1.5 million bags of assorted fertilizers to farmers across Nigeria. He underscored that these fertilizers are provided free of charge under the Greener Hope programme, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity with incentives totalling one billion dollars.
Furthermore, he detailed mechanisation efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, mentioning the Greener Hope initiative, a decade-long agricultural reform project led by Origin Group. This initiative aims to establish 1,000 agro-service centres nationwide, equipped with tractors. The programme intends to engage 600,000 youths in operational roles across these centres.
Minister Kyari concluded by emphasising the significant strides Nigeria is making in agricultural production and export, affirming the country’s commitment to fulfilling international trade obligations while enhancing domestic agricultural capabilities.