The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has called for renewed partnerships and investments to bridge the country’s irrigation gap and boost food security. Speaking ahead of the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum on Irrigation and Water Resources scheduled for September 16–18 in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima stressed the importance of attracting both local and foreign investments into irrigation infrastructure.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s potential to irrigate over three million hectares of farmland through river basins, aquifers, and surface water resources, only a fraction of this capacity is currently being utilized. “We cannot continue to depend solely on seasonal rainfall. Strategic irrigation investments will transform our agricultural sector, increase yields, and reduce climate vulnerabilities,” Shettima said. The Federal Government announced reforms to make Nigeria more investment-friendly, including single-window platforms for land registration, expanded agricultural credit schemes, enhanced mechanisation, and incentives for private sector participation.
FAO representatives reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in improving irrigation systems, expanding modern water management practices, and creating an enabling environment for agribusiness growth.Experts say that bridging Nigeria’s irrigation gap could be a game-changer for food production, especially amid rising climate challenges and the need to reduce post-harvest losses.