Nigeria and Brazil have formally signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP), aimed at enhancing food security in Nigeria. The deal was finalized at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, marking a significant step towards addressing the nation’s agricultural challenges and promoting sustainable, low-carbon agriculture.
The Green Imperative Project is Africa’s largest agricultural initiative, focused on increasing agricultural productivity and fostering private-sector investment. The project, first initiated in 2018, will help develop structural conditions necessary for boosting food production in Nigeria efficiently and competitively.
The signing ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who described the agreement as part of the ongoing efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improve food security in the country. Shettima emphasized that the GIP aligns with the administration’s policies, particularly its 8-point agenda, and will drive the nation’s economic growth while boosting investor confidence.
He explained that the GIP would also play a crucial role in linking small-scale farmers to agricultural value chains across the country, addressing long-standing issues of low agricultural productivity. Shettima stressed that the project aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of agricultural development and economic diversification, making it a major opportunity for the country’s growth.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, expressed his country’s honor in associating with the GIP, highlighting the seven years of negotiations that led to securing funding from private and regional development banks. He further noted that the project would facilitate the importation of agricultural equipment such as tractors, which will be assembled in Nigeria, providing jobs and training for Nigerian workers. Additionally, any necessary repairs to the equipment could be done locally with trained personnel.
Garcete extended his gratitude to President Tinubu for bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion, emphasizing the mutual benefits for both nations. He also pointed out that the project would be instrumental in the modernization of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, lauded the agreement, emphasizing the importance of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy, particularly for sub-national governments. He praised the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector and underscored the significance of the project at the state level.
Similarly, the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, expressed his state’s enthusiasm for the project, given Benue’s role as the “food basket” of the nation. He assured full support for the initiative, noting that Benue is a major contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural production.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, also attended the ceremony and highlighted the South-South cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil. He noted that Brazil’s agricultural success, especially in transforming barren land into one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions, would serve as a model for Nigeria’s agricultural growth.
The Green Imperative Project is seen as a game-changer in Nigeria’s quest for food security, providing a sustainable foundation for the future of the country’s agricultural sector.
