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Minister Reiterates Need for Consistent Investment to Boost Crop Production
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…as lawmakers push for full implementation of agricultural laws to strengthen food security
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has stressed the importance of maintaining increased funding for the agricultural sector to bridge existing gaps in crop yields, particularly in rice production.
The Minister stated this during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Production and Services on Monday, in Abuja.
The session focused on three key bills aimed at driving growth and reform in the sector.
Lawmakers at the hearing reiterated the urgency of enforcing agricultural policies and legislation that would ensure the country achieves sustainable food security.
The bills were:
“A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Agricultural Development Fund (Establishment) Act, 2025 (HB 2036) – a crucial step to fortify our financial commitment to Agriculture;
“A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Farm Settlements Agency to Promote Agricultural Development, Ensure Food Security, and Foster Economic Growth (HB 1347) – an initiative to promote development, secure our food security, and foster economic growth; and
“A Bill for an Act to Provide a Legal Framework for the Establishment of the National Rice Production, Processing and Research Institute, Argungu, Kebbi State (HB 423) – a dedicated effort to achieve self-sufficiency in our staple food”.
He stated that, Nigeria’s yield gap is one of the major problems as it tries to ensure food security in the country.
He said, “For example, the rice we are talking about. The average yield is usually put at about five for those who are doing very well.Hardly will you get people making six. But the average is between 4.5 to 5. And those who are doing very well may get up to six.
“But if you take countries that are producing rice at a very good level, the yield potential is nine to 12 tonnes.Now, if we can concentrate on funding the processes for yield increase, if we are able to double and our farmers are able to get up to seven to eight, I bet you the current 22 million metric tonnes demand in our country for rice, of which we are doing 20 and having 2 million as deficit, we will be able to cover it without any difficulty.
“So I think I want us to use this opportunity, Mr. Chairman and honourable members, to take a look at the strategy that will enable us to achieve the same thing we want to achieve. Is it by opening up more centres? Because, I’m sorry to say, we have turned our institutes into employment centres.
“I’ve served in that system for 20 years before coming onto this side of the National Assembly. And my own point is that I would like honourable members to take a greater look at how we can strengthen the current system we have and make them to give us the maximum productivity they can give. That way our farmers will be able to produce more.
“If you take a look at cassava, sorry to digress on this, if you take a look at cassava, Nigeria is the world producer of cassava for the past 30 years. And it’s simply put at what? What is the average yield of cassava? It’s just about 11 tonnes. That is even those ones that are doing high.
“Now, what is possible in the research system is 49 tonnes per hectare. So if you can even double that, it means the farmers can produce 22 tonnes per hectare. The current 60 million metric tonnes we are producing as a nation that made us number one, we can go to 120.
“If they triple it, we can go to 180. And that is a massive injection into our economy. So I think I would like to plead with this honourable house that while I agree with the fundamental principles of what the bill seeks to achieve, I want us to look inwards and see how we can strengthen the current system to deliver on the current mandates that we have”.
Speaking on the proposed legislation, Abdullahi said the ministry and it’s agencies have aligned with most of the provisions but there are areas that must be looked into to find tune the bills in tandem with existing extant laws.
He added, “In particular, trying to bring in those programmes and projects that we know federal government is making investment on, and for which we want it to be aligned to the National Agriculture Development Fund and its own intention.
“However, maybe there are one or two other issues that bother us on administration, which I think we also have to sit down and look at the general administrative principle before we can see whether it’s in line or not. But in terms of the fundamental principle, I think we are very much in alignment”.
The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Rep. Ayokunle Isiaka in his opening remarks said the proposed bills are more than just legislation but they are a blueprint for a more secure, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria.
He said, “They demonstrate our commitment to harnessing the vast potential of our agricultural resources to improve the lives of our citizens.This hearing aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security, underscoring our collective resolve to tackle food insecurity and boost agricultural productivity.
“I urge every stakeholder, expert, and citizen to engage actively, sharing your insights, expertise, and concerns. Your voices are essential to crafting robust and effective laws.
“Let us work together to build a resilient agricultural sector that drives our economy, guarantees food security, and uplifts every Nigerian. It is my distinct pleasure to declare this public hearing open”.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bello Kaoje said Agriculture remains the backbone of the nation’s economy and most reliable path to inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
He however explained that achieving food security and competitiveness requires sound policies supported by effective legislation.
“This public hearing offers all stakeholders — policymakers, farmers, researchers, investors, and development partners — an opportunity to share valuable perspectives. Your insights today will help us refine these bills to ensure they are practical, forward-looking, and beneficial to all segments of the agricultural sector.
“As a Committee, we are committed to ensuring that every law passed by this House strengthens productivity, enhances innovation, and provides real value to Nigerian farmers. We will continue to collaborate with the Executive, relevant agencies, and the private sector to make agriculture a business that drives national prosperity”, he stated.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday set aside its earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, which had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Delivering his ruling in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, Justice Isah Dashen held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.
The court upheld the application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party is a necessary party to the suit.
Justice Dashen noted that counsel to the PMP successfully demonstrated the party’s legal interest, which warranted its inclusion in the proceedings.
According to the judge, the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.
He declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.
Justice Dashen further ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
He also observed that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified the decision to set aside the judgment.
Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit commence afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as parties to the case.
Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists that the Peace Movement Party approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.
According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.
“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.
He explained that the implication of the ruling is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed.
“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.
He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided.
“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”
Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.
The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made.
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has launched a Women in Leadership Programme to build a pipeline of female leaders and expand career opportunities in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital technology sectors.
—“A structured community, not a one-off”—
Unveiled in Abuja Thursday, the initiative will provide mentorship, professional networks, and capacity-building to help women take on greater responsibility within the regulatory and wider telecoms industry.
Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said the programme is the Commission’s first deliberate effort to create a structured mentorship community for female professionals in regulation.
“Although several leadership initiatives for women exist, this is our first deliberate effort to create a structured community. We want to build a mentorship network for female professionals within the regulatory environment,” Makama said.
She added that the goal is permanence: “We want to institutionalise it so that when I leave the NCC, it will be adopted. It is not going to die with me; it is here to stay.”
—Leveraging NCC’s 70% female director base—
Makama highlighted existing gender progress: women currently hold about 70% of director-level positions at the NCC.
“We want to harness that energy and wisdom and channel it into developing women working in regulation. We must continue to build and scale female leadership across the industry,” she said.
—Maida: Platform to inspire the next generation—
NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Aminu Maida, described the programme as strategic for preparing future leaders.
“This gathering will encourage women to aspire and reach the top of their careers,” Maida said, noting many talented women in the Commission have the potential to assume key roles.
“I see a lot of promise in the next generation of women in the commission,” he added.
Court issues fresh arrest warrant for Police Officer over N300m “criminal eviction” in Maitama
—What the programme will do—
1. Mentorship community: Pair senior female regulators with early- and mid-career professionals for knowledge transfer.
2. Networking & knowledge sharing: Create platforms for cross-sector learning and visibility.
3. Institutionalised capacity-building: Embed the programme into NCC’s long-term framework beyond current leadership tenures.
The NCC says the initiative is expected to drive greater gender inclusion, mentorship, and leadership development as part of building a more diverse and innovative telecoms industry in Nigeria. [Culled from NAN]
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described the victory of Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper, at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice as a major victory for journalism and press freedom in Nigeria.
The union, in its reaction to the judgment awarding N10 million in damages against the Nigerian government over the violation of Oyekunle’s rights, said the ruling represents an important step towards protecting journalists and defending media freedom.
The NUJ in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude on Wednesday commended the efforts of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) for providing legal support and standing with the journalist throughout the legal process.
It said the judgment serves as a reminder of the need for the protection of journalists who perform their constitutional duty of informing the public, adding that attacks and harassment against media practitioners must not go unchecked.
The union urged the Nigerian government to comply with the ECOWAS Court judgment by paying the N10 million damages awarded to Oyekunle without delay.
According to the NUJ, prompt compliance with the ruling would demonstrate respect for the rule of law and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and press freedom.
The union further called for stronger measures to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists across the country.
Signed
Comrade Achike Chude
National Secretary
Federal High Court Sets Aside Order Compelling INEC to Register NDC, Orders Fresh Hearing
NCC unveils women in leadership programme to grow female talent in Nigeria’s tech sector
NUJ Hails Oyekunle’s ECOWAS Court Victory, Says It Is a Win for Journalism, Press Freedom
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