Nigeria has reaffirmed its strong commitment to South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as a key driver of agrifood transformation and sustainable development through shared knowledge, expertise, and resources among developing nations.
Speaking at the Ministerial Dialogue on SSTC during the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome—an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)—the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative aims to strengthen the collective voice of developing countries and advance a more equitable global economic system.
Kyari noted that South–South Cooperation has become central to Nigeria's agricultural strategy, enabling innovation, technology transfer, and inclusive growth across rural communities. He emphasised that effective cooperation must be anchored on mutual respect, local ownership, and measurable results, describing SSTC as a cost-effective approach to achieving food security and shared prosperity.
The minister highlighted that Nigeria's collaboration with FAO and China under the SSTC framework has yielded tangible results, including technology transfer, farmer training, aquaculture development, and the establishment of Regional Multi-Service Extension Centres nationwide.
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Kyari outlined Nigeria's current priorities to deepen the impact of SSTC, which include integrating the programme into national agricultural strategies, promoting sustainable financing through blended models, and enhancing technology exchange in climate-smart farming, mechanisation, and digital agriculture.
He added that Nigeria is also strengthening its leadership within ECOWAS to boost regional trade, research partnerships, and policy harmonisation across West Africa.
FAO Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, commended Nigeria and other member states for their consistent efforts to build inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems, noting that the next phase of South–South Cooperation must focus on stronger institutions and targeted investments to sustain progress across the Global South.
