Nigeria’s agricultural sector is evolving—and at its core is a simple but critical truth: policies must serve the people they are designed to support. At the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), we understand that sustainable change happens when policy is built on reality, not assumptions.

Over the past two days, NABG proudly participated in the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM) workshop, convened by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU). This important gathering brought together stakeholders from across the agriculture value chain to engage in open, often tough conversations about Nigeria’s food systems and the future of agribusiness.

Asking the Hard Questions

Unlike many high-level meetings that remain confined to spreadsheets and theoretical forecasts, the NAPM workshop confronted the real challenges facing Nigeria’s agriculture sector head-on.

Together, we asked critical questions:

• How do we build a food system that reflects the daily realities of Nigerian farmers?

• What kind of data is needed to inform smarter, more inclusive policies?

• How can we ensure policies are not only designed for the people but co-created with them?

These questions are at the heart of NABG’s mission—to bridge the gap between policy and practice, and between government and grassroots realities.

Toward a Unified National Framework

At the center of these discussions lies a shared goal:
✅ To create a unified National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism in Nigeria that enables:

• Thriving agribusiness enterprises

• Efficient public investment

• Stronger market linkages

• Sustainable rural development

• Inclusive participation across gender, youth, and smallholder farmers

  

   

  The mechanism seeks to harmonize existing policies, close operational gaps, and establish clear governance structures that foster accountability, transparency, and coordination.

  The Power of Data-Driven Agriculture

  One recurring theme throughout the workshop was the critical role of data in driving agricultural transformation.

  Reliable, real-time data empowers policymakers to:

  • Make evidence-based decisions

  • Monitor program impact effectively

  • Allocate resources efficiently

  • Anticipate emerging risks and respond proactively

  As NABG continues to advocate, data-driven agriculture is not just a buzzword—it is a necessary foundation for building resilience across Nigeria’s food systems.

  People-Centered Policy: A Non-Negotiable

  For policies to succeed, they must be people-centered. This means:

  • Listening to farmers’ voices

  • Recognizing the informal actors that power local food systems

  • Designing interventions that address context-specific realities

  • Including women, youth, and marginalized groups in both consultation and execution

  At NABG, we believe that inclusive policymaking ensures that reforms deliver true economic impact where it matters most: in the lives of rural communities and the entrepreneurs who sustain Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem.

  NABG’s Ongoing Commitment

  As always, NABG remains committed to being:

  • A trusted bridge between policymakers and private sector actors

  • A voice for the thousands of agripreneurs who form the backbone of Nigeria’s food systems

  • A catalyst for data-informed, people-centered agricultural transformation in Nigeria

  We commend the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit for convening this critical conversation and reaffirm our dedication to collaborating with all partners in building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future for Nigerian agriculture.

  From policy discussions to field implementation, NABG continues to advocate for agricultural policies that work with farmers, not just for farmers.

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