Nigeria and Japan to Advance $110mn Food Security Programme Implementation
By Patience Ikpeme
Nigeria and Japan have held discussions to move forward with the implementation of the $110 million Food Security Emergency Loan Support Programme.
This facility, valued at JPY 15 billion (approximately $110 million), is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s food production systems and build resilience against ongoing global supply challenges.
To this end, Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, met with senior representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
A statement from the Ministry of Finance on Thursday noted that with the rainy season now commencing, both Ministers stressed the importance of swift, coordinated action to maximize the programme’s benefits for farmers and rural communities.
JICA, for its part, welcomed the government’s commitment to prompt delivery and requested formal clarification on some proposed adjustments to the implementation plan.
It was jointly agreed that core production activities would proceed immediately under the existing framework, while additional components, such as aggregation and financing, would be reviewed in line with the original loan agreement.
The ministry explained that this partnership shows the dedication of both governments to addressing food security challenges and improving the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
It further adds that the collaboration aims to support the country’s food production systems and enhance resilience amidst global supply chain disruptions, while also driving economic growth and development within Nigeria.
