Nigeria has once again reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as a vital strategy for transforming agrifood systems, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable development across developing nations.
This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, during the Ministerial Dialogue on SSTC at the World Food Forum (WFF) held in Rome, Italy, in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
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Themed “SSTC as a Catalyst for Agrifood System Transformation: Commitments, Approaches, and Experiences from the Countries,” the session brought together ministers, policymakers, and experts from across the Global South to share ideas and chart new pathways for agricultural cooperation.
Senator Kyari highlighted that South–South Cooperation has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural development agenda, strengthening partnerships that foster innovation, mutual learning, and shared prosperity. He cited Nigeria’s longstanding collaboration with FAO and China, which has yielded concrete outcomes such as technology transfer, farmer training, aquaculture expansion, and the establishment of Regional Multi-Service Extension Centres across the country.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s current focus is on deepening SSTC’s impact through key priorities:
Institutional Strengthening: Integrating SSTC programmes into national agricultural strategies to align with Nigeria’s National Agrifood Systems Transformation Agenda.
Sustainable Financing: Developing flexible funding mechanisms and blended finance models to scale up South–South partnerships.
Technology and Knowledge Exchange: Promoting collaboration on climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, mechanization, and digital solutions to boost productivity.
Regional Integration: Strengthening Nigeria’s leadership within ECOWAS to promote sub-regional trade, research linkages, and policy harmonization.
Senator Kyari emphasized that for cooperation to be effective, it must be grounded in mutual respect, measurable outcomes, and national ownership, describing SSTC as one of the most practical and cost-effective approaches for achieving food security and resilience.
“The lessons we continue to draw from our partnerships with China, Brazil, and other developing nations reaffirm that the Global South has the capacity, knowledge, and innovation needed to solve its own challenges if we work together in solidarity,” he said.
FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu commended Nigeria and other developing nations for their continued commitment to inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems. He noted that the next phase of SSTC must be backed by stronger institutional frameworks and targeted investment to maximize its impact.
The session concluded with participating countries and development partners reaffirming their determination to deepen collaboration through policy coordination, expanded funding channels, and knowledge sharing, paving the way for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global agrifood system.
