The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has appealed to industrial stakeholders and the regulated community to comply with the revised National Environmental Regulations.
Dr Innocent Barikor, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESERA)
Dr Innocent Barikor, the Director-General, NESREA, made the call at the Validation Workshop for the National Environmental (Permitting and Licensing Systems Regulations 2009) on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in Abuja.
He said the revised regulations were pivotal for ensuring environmental sustainability and compliance in Nigeria.
Barikor emphasised the importance of adherence to the updated regulations in enhancing environmental protection in Nigeria.
He said that there was need for collaboration of diverse stakeholders, including the regulated sector and other sector players whose businesses have bearing on the environment.
Barikor said that partnership was crucial and could not be over-emphasised.
“Your expertise and feedback have helped in refining and enhancing these revised regulations, ensuring they are both effective and practical.
“We are at a pivotal moment, the outcome of this workshop will shape the regulatory landscape and, by extension our nation’s environmental future.
“At NESREA, our vision is to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all Nigerians.
“Our mission is to inspire personal and collective responsibility in building an environmentally conscious society for the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria,” he said.
Barikor thanked the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for their support for the review process.
The review process had various stages including In-House Review, Technical Review, and Stakeholders’ Review at the six geopolitical zones and 35 States of the Federation, Expert Critique, and finally the Validation of the Regulation.
Also speaking, the Country Representative to United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Andrea Lamas, said the aim of the review of the regulation was to reduce the impact of humans’ activity on the environment.
In a goodwill message, Mr Olufemi Michael, a representative of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Liaison office, said that global environmental challenges required a unified efforts to achieve practical solution.
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) have expressed determination to provide adequate security within forest regions in the country.
Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service
They gave this assurance when a team from NHFSS paid a courtesy visit to NPS headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Dr Ibrahim Goni, The Conservator-General (CG) of NPS, promised to support NHFSS to protect the country’s forest reserves.
Goni also promised to carry out trainings for NHFSS personnel in order to manage the activities in forest areas for wildlife conservation.
“We have 1,129 forests and game reserves in the country, your agency bill if finally assented to, by the National Assembly, will help Nigeria secure ungoverned spaces,” he said.
Earlier in his remark, Dr Joshua Wole, the Commander – General of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Service said that the outfit wants to collaborate with NPS to ensure security within the forests.
At the event, Ibrahim Magana, Assistant Chief Park Ranger was presented with a distinguished ranger award with a cash token of N100,000 in the area of animal management.
The award was supported with a letter of recognition by the Chief of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa for Magana’s effort in rescuing some crocodiles.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for concerted efforts to tackle floods in North Central states of Nigeria.
A flooded community in Niger State
Mr Eugene Nyelong, NEMA Zonal Coordinator, North Central Zone, made the call at a stakeholder’s workshop on Proper Waste Management and Flood Preparedness in the North Central on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
According to him, the call has become necessary following the annual flood outlook by the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the 2024 seasonal climate prediction by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
He said the predication indicated high probability of flood in North Central states.
Nyelong identified proper waste management as one of the important ways of flood mitigation, noting that all hands must be on deck to proffer mitigation measures.
He said that the increase of waste production at an alarming rate did not only pose environmental risks but also economic and social challenges through its negative impacts.
“Improper waste management can lead to flooding, pollution, health hazards and the depletion of natural resources, while effective waste management can conserve resources, promote public health, and prevent further degradation of the ecosystem.
“Waste management requires a collective effort from individuals, government and organisations; the action we take today in managing our waste will have a lasting impact on our future generation.
“Let us commit to being part of the solution, to innovation, educating and working together towards a cleaner, healthier and more suitable environment,” he said.
In his presentation on the need for effective waste management policies, Mr Atede Uwodu, Chief Geologist, National Environmental Standards Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), underscored the importance of adopting innovative ways of waste management.
He recommended full enforcement and operationalisation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for effective waste management in Nigeria.
Iliya Adeka, General Manager, Nasarawa State Environmental Protection Agency, in his presentation on recycling and reuse alternatives to waste management, said recycling conserved natural resources, saved energy, and created Jobs.
The workshop, which had in attendance, the State Emergency Agency, traditional and religious leaders, Fire Service, Road Safety, Nigeria Security and Civic Defence Corps, Red Cross, market unions and youth leaders, climaxed with waste management sensitisation in the market.
Ejike Egbuagu of Moneda Invest, one of the speakers at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference (NOGC) taking place from August 20 to 22, 2024 in Windhoek, the Namabian capital, sheds some light on the forthcoming summit and dynamics of the industry in an interview. According to him, Capital, Capacity and Confidence are critical to a functional oil and gas sector
Ejike Egbuagu
How do conferences like the NOGC highlight opportunities available in the oil and gas sector
Without traveling, you cannot truly see; and without seeing you cannot truly know… NOGC is a great chance to see golden opportunities in Namibia and learn how to participate and grow.
How valuable are the networking contacts made at such events?
You can never fully predict the outcome of new relationships. Some will be immediately useful, while some may seem otherwise – but I tell you for Africans who are so well connected by culture, yet badly separated by backward immigration policies, ALL new relationships on the continent are important and should be taken seriously.
You’ve worked extensively in finance, international trade and continental deal structuring, what are the best practices around financing opportunities in the oil and gas sector?
Flexibility. In Africa, the race is for the most flexible. I have found that general global best practice in financing often leaves the average African borrower outside the bank. What is the point if African banks grow, and their African borrowers shrink? I am not advocating for weak controls and financial terms – but we must create and support innovative financing systems that meet borrowers where they are, recognising that every borrower will in time grow and evolve.
Drawing on your experience in the Nigerian oil industry – what would you say are some of the main challenges facing the sector in Africa?
Capital, Capacity and Confidence. These three are critical to a functional oil and gas eco system, and Capital absolutely comes first! Africans must have capital to execute even before they have the capacity. You see, banks cannot lend to a borrower without proven capacity and/or collateral – so how then will they lend to Namibian contractors who have no track record in complex oil and gas contracting.
Solving this equation is the mission of the Moneda Invest team across Africa, and through our recent partnership with Ino Harith Capital (a successful Namibian fund manager), we believe a financing solution will soon be available in Namibia that will bring confidence to the government, oil producers, and global markets.
In terms of attracting more FDI into a country, especially in the oil sector, what are some incentives that most appeal to international investors?
I’m not a trade policy expert, but from the perspective of a financier – two things are critical and need immediate attention. One, immigration controls need to be relaxed for technical and specialist talent, especially African talent. This can be done within training and skills sharing programmes managed by NIPDB.
Two, tax incentives for investors in the oil and gas value chain. This goes beyond pipes and drill rigs – I’m talking about people building hotels around oil towns, restaurants and transportation infrastructure etc. Their success creates a conducive environment.
What are the geopolitical considerations regarding Sustainable Financing in the Oil and Gas Sector especially for the African Just Energy Transition lobby?
As long as Africa’s critical projects must be financed by international capital, external political considerations will overwhelm our development and progress, and this goes beyond definitions of sustainability. Controlling our own capital is essential to determining our own destiny – this is why Moneda Invest has launched a dual credit programme in Namibia through (Ino-Harith Capital) and in our general Moneda fund in Mauritius, raising up to $250 million in the first round to support African SMEs playing strong in the natural resource value chains. With the support of African pensions funds, DFIs and other institutional investors, we will deliver world class returns while capitalising African operators to ensure a just energy transition.
As the world gears up for the UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, African climate finance practitioners recently met to deliberate on various expectations for the new climate finance goal in the lead up to the African Group of Negotiators meeting holding in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 14 to 16.
Ali Mohamed, Chair, African Group of Negotiators (AGN)
The consultation affirmed that Africa must chart a new course of action in shaping the future of climate finance. The new finance goal offers an opportunity for Africa to strengthen her agency and strategically centre the goal’s determination around real and felt needs, realities and demands.
The experts emphasised the need for developed countries to commit at least $ 5.9 trillion by 2030 based on the growing needs and priorities of developing countries to finance adaptation, mitigation, the just transition, and loss and damage. These funds should majorly come from public coffers of developed, wealthy nations and should avoid debt instruments that exacerbate the debt burden of developing countries.
The experts also urged developed countries not to derail climate talks this year with discussions on the contributor base but should instead stay within the confines of the UN Climate Convention and the Paris Agreement which places responsibility to provide and lead mobilisation of finance to support climate action on these countries.
Iskander Erzini Vernoit, IMAL Initiative for Climate & Development, said: “If the new climate finance goal is set based on the limited politics of today, the world will fail to rise to the climate challenge. It cannot be an incremental increase from the 100 billion, but rather must commit well over a trillion in annual international public finance in order to respond to what the science and studies are calling for.”
Samson Mbewe, South South North, said: “To truly address the climate crisis, the NCQG must steer clear of debt instruments, especially those that masquerade as climate finance and yet are market-related loans. Developing countries are in dire need of grants, especially for their adaptation efforts. Loans of any sort would need a higher degree of concessionality. With many developing countries already burdened by significant debt, adding more through ‘climate finance’ could deepen financial struggles rather than help.
“It is essential that we find ways to support climate action without increasing debt. We also need to remember that developed nations have a responsibility to help those who have been most affected by climate change. The NCQG should focus on fair and sustainable solutions that genuinely support global efforts without creating additional financial strain.”
Julius Mbatia, Climate Finance Expert, said: “The post 2025 finance goal must constitute a quantum that is commensurate with the needs of developing countries to fairly transition, support adaptation, tackle loss and damage, and set on a low carbon climate resilient path. The quantum must not be short of what climate needs demand, currently not less than $5.9 trillion by 2030, as it will NOT signal urgency and ambition. Africa’s ask for a $6.5 trillion until 2030 affirms the necessity of a needs-based finance goal. A quantum that does not constitute public finance at scale in grants for adaptation, and loss and damage, shall not resonate with climate realities of developing and vulnerable countries. A quantum that insists on market rate loans shall do more harm to already highly indebted vulnerable nations in regions such as Africa.”
Eva Peace Gatwa, Loss and Damage Youth Collaboration, said: “If we set a climate finance goal without agreeing to a common definition of climate finance, we will be setting ourselves up for failure. There will always be mistrust when it comes to climate finance provided, and a high risk for humanitarian aid, ODA finance, and other finance to be reported as climate finance. Climate finance definition equals transparency and accountability.”
Julius Ng’oma, CISONECC, Malawi, said: “Financial resources mobilised and provided for under the operating entities of the UNFCCC financial mechanisms have proved to be difficult to access due to challenging formats of procedures, requirements, and timelines and therefore should be improved. Success in the delivery of an ambitious and effective climate goal will be measured by simplification of access modalities to climate finance to developing countries under the UNFCCC mechanism.”
Adrian Chikowore, Institute for Economic Justice, said: “The new climate finance goal should be set based on sustainable financing options that do not keep developing countries in vicious cycles of debt. As such, private sector-led finance should not be the core or central to climate finance as it often overlooks the needs of those most affected by climate change, offering piecemeal solutions that fail to address systemic inequalities.”
To address the conflicts between humans and elephants, Nigeria has launched the National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) with the intention of reversing the decline of this critically endangered animal species.
Stakeholders during the official launch of the National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) in Abuja
Nigeria is one of Africa’s relatively few countries with forests and savanna elephants. Sadly, however, this population has deteriorated over the years due to ivory demand and habitat loss. According to a study conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2016, this ugly trend has reduced the population of this iconic species from an estimated 1,500 to 400 individuals and is on the verge of extinction.
Stakeholders who spoke at the event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) in Abuja on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, want to see more commitment to elephant conservation in the country.
While acknowledging this persistent and horrible crisis, Nigeria’s environment minister of state, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated that the unveiling of NEAP represents the government’s strong commitment and resolve to continue protecting the country’s natural resources, including its wildlife, not only for nature and humanity but also for long-term economic development.
The minister cited the National Strategy to Combat Wildlife and Forest Crime (NSCWFC) and the draft Bill on Endangered Species Conservation and Protection (ESCP 2024), which is currently in the National Assembly, as additional efforts that show the government’s determination to tackle the problem.
According to him, elephants are part of our history and heritage in Nigeria and the nation’s world-famous culture. He said these rare animals have a vital role to play in maintaining ecological balance, serving as forest gardeners, and helping spread seeds, all of which promote biodiversity and the expansion of flora and fauna. Many cultures, he added, rely on them for a living, particularly through eco-tourism.
“Sadly, in our country, they have suffered 86 percent population decline over the last 30 years, with the population of elephants in Nigeria estimated to be about 400 as of 2021,” the nation’s minister of state for the environment said.
He assured that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment and other partner agencies would continue to frontally confront poaching and illegal trade in wildlife, including elephants. So, he urged all Nigerians to join hands with the government to create a future where elephants roam freely across “our forests for us and future generations to enjoy and marvel at their majestic spectacle.”
Chief Sharon Ikeazor, the Chairperson of the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), Leadership Council, believes that the success of NEAP hinges on stakeholders’ collective efforts, and it is only through sustained partnerships and unwavering dedication that the objective of the plan can be translated into its physical reality.
The former Minister of State for the Environment also said that Nigeria must leverage the power of education and public awareness because changing attitudes and behaviours is crucial if the country is to win the fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
She noted that NEAP was thoroughly developed by the EPI, working together with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Nigerian governments through the Federal Ministry of Environment, because stakeholders are resolute to save Nigeria’s remaining elephants.
“We are determined to save Nigeria’s remaining elephants and enhance the economic benefits of their conservation for our people who live near and around the elephants because these iconic animals fulfil not only a vital ecological role but are also embedded in our country’s history and culture,” the EPI, leadership council chairperson, stated.
Andrew Dunn, WCS Nigeria’s Country Director, lamented the fact that Nigeria remains a major transit hub for illegal wildlife products, including nearly a quarter of the world’s seized ivory. He said the West African country has already lost 99% of its elephants due to poaching and habitat destruction.
“Saving Nigeria’s last elephants will require more than just funds; it will require a significant change in attitude at all levels and a paradigm shift by federal and state governments towards a realisation that human wellbeing and global health are inextricably linked to biodiversity loss and climate change,” Dunn, who coordinated the writing of the comprehensive NEAP, said.
The NEAP is a 10-year strategic plan (2024-2034) developed to ensure the long-term survival of elephants in Nigeria. Its key objectives include reducing illegal elephant killings and trade through harmonised state and federal wildlife laws and enhanced law enforcement, maintaining elephant habitats through land-use planning, and creating wildlife corridors to mitigate conflicts with communities.
John Scanlon AO, the CEO of the EPI Foundation, which supported the process, said: “The situation of Nigeria’s elephants is desperate but not hopeless. This plan offers us a last chance to conserve these magnificent animals.”
Nigeria’s largest elephant population is in Yankari Game Reserve, with smaller relict populations in the forests of southern Nigeria and a transboundary herd of roughly 250 elephants using the savannah of north-eastern Nigeria as part of their range.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State in Nigeria has advocated for a frontline role for sub-national governments in the fight against climate change, even as he defended the records of his government in that sector.
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State
The governor. who made the observations yesterday while hosting a delegation of the Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network, said state governments in Nigeria are at different levels of reactions and actions on the climate challenge, advising that rating states must start with benchmark analysis of their peculiarities.
The governor, who further posited that states must be fully engaged in the review process beyond desk research, called for direct interactions between reviewers and state desk officers to correctly assess developments in each state.
Expanding on his government activities in the field of climate change, the state governor advocated for renewed focus on the sub-national governments in the fight against climate change.
“It is time for all stakeholders to accept the pivotal role of sub-national governments in the climate war. The present focus on international and national platforms cannot produce the desired results.
“Climate change is local as politics is local. The climate crisis is manifesting directly on the ground across the grassroots of the global world. Actions to remedy the situation should be redirected to the local level. That is the only way to halt the growing climate rupture.” the governor told the visiting group
Speaking further, Governor Adeleke flaunted his records, asserting that “our government is a green government that is pursuing a robust climate change agenda.
“We have a world-class consultant who is developing several policies and action plans. We have made strong headway in terms of policy framework as well as the development of investment portfolios for climate projects.
“I am also happy to inform you that Osun.is developing a carbon finance template to ensure Osun benefits from the new world of carbon credit. A lot of work has gone into this effort.
“To demonstrate strong political commitment and in line with requests of several international bodies, I have assumed the chairmanship of the Osun State Climate Change Action Council.
“The Council serves as a policy and clearing board for all climate related matters as far as Osun State is concerned. The council will soon be inaugurated.” Mr Governor posited.
Also speaking at the event, state consultant on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Prof Chinwe Obuaku, rejected the recent rating of Osun on climate change, positing that publishing the outcome without engaging the state is a wrong methodology.
The carbon finance expert wondered how review can be conducted without calling for submissions and direct involvement of those being rated in the review process.
She emphasised that most of the headings for the review did not take into account the reality that most states are starting on different grounds on the climate war.
“The administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke largely launched the Osun Climate Change Agenda starting with creation of the Department of Climate Change, ongoing development of the state Climate Policy Plan, development of carbon investment templates and portfolios, among others. How do you rate us without knowing or asking what we are doing?” the climate expert queried.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network, Dr Adedoyin Adeleke, applauded the deep interest of the governor in the climate struggle.
According to him, his group has watched the activities of the state government in the field of climate adaptation and resilience, assuring that his group is prepared for long-term partnership with the Osun State Government.
“We are here to commend the state government for its plans and programmes in the field of climate change. We seek partnership and collaboration with the state for the implementation of innovative climate projects,” Dr Adedoyin posited.
The Group CEO of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, has called on the military to sustain the war against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism saying the current onslaught against the menace has yielded improved growth in the nation’s crude oil production.
GCEO, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari (right), stresses a point when he received in audience the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and other senior military officers at the NNPC Towers, in Abuja, on Tuesday
Kyari made this appeal when he received in audience the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led senior military officers on a courtesy visit to the NNPC Towers in Abuja, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
“I personally call for enhanced and sustained security engagement. This is because we have reached a new peak in production that we haven’t seen in the last three years. This is clearly related to the sustained efforts by the armed forces and other security agencies to protect our critical assets, particularly the pipeline infrastructure in specified areas where we are working closely with these agencies. We are already seeing the results transforming into increased production,” Kyari stated.
The GCEO, who commended General Musa and his team for their unwavering commitment to securing the nation’s critical hydrocarbon assets especially in the Niger Delta region in recent months, emphasised that these achievements are not only crucial to Nigeria but also to the global energy community.
Kyari expressed confidence that the CDS and his team will deliver on the Presidential mandate to mitigate security-related challenges affecting the nation’s crude oil production.
“Components of this effort that depend on security are being effectively managed by you. Your coordinated and focused response is paving the way for improved security engagement, particularly in the Niger Delta,” Kyari said.
Earlier in his remarks, General Musa said the visit was intended to introduce the Monitoring Team to the NNPC Ltd, which will be responsible for interfacing with the Company and other stakeholders in the oil-producing regions to secure the nation’s critical hydrocarbon infrastructure.
While pledging commitment towards improving security and the performance of his troops, the CDS said the military will sustain the onslaught and analyse the troops’ capabilities to enhance their performance and bolster productivity.
He stressed the need to ramp up production for a prosperous economy and reassured collaboration with intelligence agencies, private security, state governments and host communities for enhanced performance.
“Working in silos won’t give us the best results. I want to assure you that we will collaborate with the necessary stakeholders to achieve our set targets as mandated by Mr. President.”
In furtherance of its long-standing support to African oil and gas producing countries and development of local content in the continent, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Monday, August 12, 2024, in Lagos began a five-day knowledge sharing programme with the Petroleum Commission of Ghana.
Officials of Petroleum Commission Ghana and NCDMB during the courtesy call
The engagement seeks to establish technical cooperation between the NCDMB and the Ghanaian Commission through capacity building and learning from the Board’s rich experiences, best practices and procedures in local content development.
Part of the objectives are to foster the Petroleum Commission of Ghana’s efforts to institute an effective framework that will enhance compliance and deepen local content in their nation’s oil and gas industry.
The opening day’s activities included a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, at the Board’s liaison office in Lagos. The NCDMB’s helmsman welcomed the delegation to Nigeria and relayed the Board’s unwavering commitment to the development of African local content.
In his opening remarks, the Director Monitoring and Evaluation NCDMB, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, emphasised the need for close cooperation among African oil-producing countries, noting that the technological and financial challenges facing the industry cannot be solved when countries operate in silos.
He canvassed that African oil producing countries should develop unique and specialised capabilities that would facilitate effective trade amongst themselves, and grow the African economy, as envisaged by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA).
Thereafter, other key officials shared NCDMB’s strategies and operating templates covering supplier development initiatives, Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) and the structure and operations of the agency.
Presentations in the later days of the week will focus on the operating framework for Nigerian Content planning, research and statistics, succession planning processes, Nigerian Joint Qualification System (NJQS), Biometrics system, human capacity building, institutional strengthening, Nigerian Content Equipment Certification (NCEC) and other templates.
Other themes that will be explored as part of the engagement include the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) operating framework, the Projects Certification and Authorisation Division (PCAD) templates and implementing framework, the Monitoring and Evaluation implementing framework and the Community Content Guidelines and Stakeholder Management strategies and many more.
The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Project 100 companies and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), which is the umbrella body of leading international and indigenous oil producing companies in Nigeria would equally make presentations at the sessions.
The engagement would end on Friday with NCDMB and the Commission reviewing a draft memorandum of understanding and protocols for data sharing.
The engagement with the Ghana Petroleum Commission agency follows similar sessions the Board has had with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and the Mozambique’s national oil company, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), earlier in the year.
The Board’s support to the African petroleum industry is propelled by the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap, which has sectoral and regional linkages as one of its five pillars.
A key initiative of the pillar on sectorial and regional linkage is the Board’s close collaboration with the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO).
Under the collaboration, NCDMB has organised several workshops in partnership with APPO, with the inaugural edition held in 2021 at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where the idea for an African Energy Bank, was mooted by the NCDMB.
The Energy Bank has now become fully established under APPO, with the headquarters approved for Abuja.
The current cost of living crisis vis-à-vis attendant agitations has accentuated the need to scale up agriculture budget.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
Policy analysts hold that the N362.9 billion appropriated to the agriculture sector in the 2024 budget fell short of the 2014 Malabo Declaration that African countries should allocate at least 10 per cent of their national budgets to the agricultural sector.
Stakeholders in the agriculture sector are taking proactive measures to ramp up agriculture budget in 2025 in order to bolster food production.
The stakeholders converged on Lagos recently under the aegis of the National Stakeholders Consultative meeting on 2025 agriculture budget.
They comprised state ministries of agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMFS), Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, ActionAid Nigeria, Oxfam, GIZ, Community of Agriculture Non-State Actors (COANSA) and ECOWAS Commission.
Underlining the thrust of the event, Mrs Elizabeth Egharevba, Director, Economic Growth Department, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said the annual event was to assist the country to achieve the Malabo declaration.
Egharevba, represented by Mr Olaitan Fatai, Deputy Director in the ministry, said that the meeting was strategic by bringing together relevant stakeholders to contribute their inputs into the 2025 agricultural budget.
She identified the forum as a milestone in the country’s efforts at ensuring that it achieved the Malabo declaration and proffered solutions to the country’s food insecurity.
Egharevba said that the result was to reduce food importation, pressure on external reserve and much needed hard-earned FOREX that would be channeled to other vital developmental need.
“This platform facilitates more inputs into the 2025 agriculture budget by creating ownership, linking and integrating programmes that will help Nigeria not only to achieve food security but lead to attain other deliverables.
“I am confident that we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make us tackle food insecurity and enhance synergy between agencies in the agriculture sector,” she said.
Egharevba said the forum had made significant impact in improving the budget of the agriculture since its inception in 2016.
The director said agriculture budget had risen to six per cent as against 1.3 per cent in 2016.
“The appropriation to agriculture at federal level had been increasing steadily although yet to achieve 10 per cent of the total national budget in line with the Malabo declaration,’’ she said.
Egharevba said that government had devoted more resources to agriculture in the 2025 budget through the development of the Cassava Bio-ethanol value chain project with a PPP arrangement.
According to her, the project is designed to be implemented in the six geopolitical zones to ensure the development of the entire cassava value chain.
Sharing similar opinion, Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, Director, Planning and Policy Coordination in the ministry, said the sector needed diversification through innovation and technology to enhance production and ensure food and nutrition security.
Tanimu said the ministry at the moment was collaborating with Ministry of Science and Technology for the production of fabricated implement that could assist farmers to increase productivity.
“We need mechanisation not heavy machines but smaller fabricated machines that we can produce locally using our own initiative.
“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Science and Technology on the production of smaller implements that can assist our farmers at affordable price,’’ he said.
Mr Azubike Nwokoye, Food and Agriculture Programme Manager, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), identified the meeting’s objectives as to leverage understanding on the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).
Nwokoye said the meeting was also to leverage understanding on the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and its connection to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) targets.
“The meeting seeks to strengthen citizens’ participation towards making 2025 agriculture budget responsive to food systems transformation and wealth creation.
“To support effective biennial reporting by Nigeria to the African Union Heads of States and Government in line with the Malabo Declaration and Commitments of 2014,” he said.
Mr Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, AAN, said such budgets should provide line items for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in agriculture that addressed specific challenges affecting women farmers.
Mamedu urged governments to avoid lumping up budget for women farmers and other groups like youths.
He said that recent survey conducted by AAN on the capacity of smallholder women farmers to contribute effectively to agricultural development revealed that they were challenged with poor access to credit and inputs.
The country director listed other challenges as post-harvest losses, reduction support, insecurity, lack of access to irrigation support, training, market access, among others.
Mamedu said that the challenges contributed to the current high cost of food in the country.
According to Mamedu, smallholder farmers contribute 70 to 80 per cent of agricultural production in the country.
He regretted that challenges confronting smallholder farmers were not prioritised in spite of their huge contribution to national food security,
“The Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture should scale up yearly budget lines for support to smallholder women and youth farmers; reflecting on what should be prioritised especially in 2025 budget based on realities on ground.
“National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGSAP) should be well funded and executed to address the inputs gaps experienced by smallholder farmers, especially women and youth,’’ he said.
Memedu tasked federal and state governments on more investment in agriculture to address the strategic areas of investment that would increase agriculture Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to at least six per cent.
He listed the strategic areas as extension services, access to credit by women and youth in agriculture and appropriate labour-saving technologies inputs.
Memedu said post-harvest losses reduction support such as processing and storage facilities, training and market access, Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA), agroecology, research and development, monitoring and evaluation also needed attention.
The stakeholders, therefore, urged both the federal and state governments to ensure that the 2024 budget and subsequent budgets were gender sensitive.
It is experts’ opinion that massive and expeditious funding is required for a turnaround in the agriculture sector.
They say that conscious and pragmatic budgeting and its effective implementation will go a long way in boosting food security.
By Chijioke Okoronkwo and Felicia Imohimi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
