Nigeria Pledges Stronger South-South Cooperation in Rome
Rome, Italy Friday, October 18, 2025
Nigeria has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as a strategic pathway to transforming agrifood systems and accelerating sustainable development across the Global South.
Speaking at the World Food Forum’s Ministerial Dialogue in Rome, held in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, emphasized the critical importance of SSTC in addressing food security and promoting agricultural innovation in developing nations.
The high-level dialogue, themed “SSTC as a Catalyst for Agrifood System Transformation,” brought together ministers and senior officials from across the Global South to exchange experiences and formulate joint strategies to tackle shared agricultural and food security challenges.
In his address, Senator Kyari highlighted Nigeria’s achievements through strategic SSTC partnerships — particularly with FAO and China — which have enabled technology transfers, farmer capacity building, growth in aquaculture, and the establishment of Regional Multi-Service Extension Centres that offer support to smallholder farmers across the country.
Kyari outlined Nigeria’s future priorities for agrifood transformation, calling for:
Stronger and more resilient institutional frameworks,
Sustainable financing models for agriculture,
Increased access to modern technology and knowledge exchange,
Expanded implementation of climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, mechanization, and digital agriculture solutions.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s regional leadership role within ECOWAS, emphasizing the country’s commitment to fostering agricultural trade and harmonizing policies across West Africa.
“Our partnerships with China and Brazil are clear examples of how countries in the Global South can unite to solve common challenges,” Kyari stated, reinforcing the idea that SSTC is not just a concept, but a viable mechanism for action and results.
FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu commended Nigeria for its leadership in leveraging SSTC, and echoed the call for deeper investments, capacity development, and institutional strengthening to unlock the full potential of such partnerships.
The session concluded with a collective pledge by participating countries to intensify collaboration through shared funding, joint research, and coordinated policies to build a resilient and inclusive global agrifood system.
The event marks another significant milestone in Nigeria’s continued engagement with global development platforms, and its drive to lead regional efforts in agricultural reform and food security.
