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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and Spain are set to deepen cooperation in agriculture, livestock production, irrigation and food preservation as both countries seek greater investment and technology transfer in the sector.

The move followed a meeting between Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, and Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades, in Madrid on Thursday.

The meeting, held at the Palacio de Fomento, focused on possible areas of collaboration in agriculture and livestock, with food security identified as a shared challenge for both countries. Spain’s Agriculture Ministry also confirmed that Planas and Ikpeazu met to explore possible avenues for cooperation in the agricultural and livestock sectors.

Planas congratulated Ikpeazu on his appointment as Nigeria’s principal envoy to Spain and on the successful presentation of his Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI.

Naijablitznews.com reports that Ikpeazu formally presented his credentials to the Spanish monarch on September 14, marking the commencement of his diplomatic assignment in the country.

The Spanish minister said Ikpeazu’s assumption of duty would further strengthen the cordial relations between Nigeria and Spain, particularly in agro-food production, animal health and irrigation.

He highlighted Spain’s advances in crop disease prevention and the production of high-yielding improved seedlings, which he said had contributed significantly to large-scale agro-food and livestock production.

Planas also pointed to Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential, noting that more than 40 per cent of the country’s total land area is arable and could provide significant opportunities for increased food production and value-chain development.
According to him, Spain currently produces more food than it imports, a development he attributed to the use of improved seedlings, effective food preservation policies and consumption strategies.

He further noted that innovative technologies contributed to a 20 per cent reduction in food losses in 2025, with additional preventive measures being introduced.

Responding, Ikpeazu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and the opportunity to discuss areas of mutual interest with the Spanish minister.

The Ambassador said increased agricultural production remained a priority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly given Nigeria’s large youth population and the opportunities available across the agricultural value chain.

He said fully harnessing the sector’s potential would strengthen food security, create jobs and contribute to addressing irregular migration in Africa.

Ikpeazu commended Spain’s innovations in improved seedling production, livestock development and food preservation, expressing Nigeria’s readiness to work with the country to raise agricultural productivity.

He also stressed the need to tackle food losses caused by inadequate preservation facilities and transportation networks.

The Ambassador cited the operations of GB Foods in Kebbi and Ogun states as an example of successful Spanish investment in Nigeria.
According to him, the introduction of improved seedlings by the company had increased tomato yields from about 10 tonnes to more than 60 tonnes per hectare.

Ambassador Ikpeazu also expressed Nigeria’s strong interest in expanding animal production for both domestic consumption and export, saying the country was willing to partner with Spain in developing the sector.

The two sides agreed that closer collaboration, technology transfer and investment promotion could deliver substantial benefits to both countries.

They also committed to facilitating and considering proposals from relevant government agencies and private-sector stakeholders aimed at deepening and expanding the existing relations between Nigeria and Spain.

The meeting comes shortly after Ambassador Ikpeazu’s presentation of his credentials to King Felipe VI, with the Spanish Royal Household confirming his accreditation as Nigeria’s ambassador in Madrid. 

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that Nigeria’s banking sector is now stronger and more resilient, while assuring Nigerians that the insecurity confronting the country will soon be defeated.

Akpabio made the declarations while rallying citizens behind President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope reforms, stressing that financial-sector reforms, security operations and citizens’ cooperation were critical to economic recovery and national development.

The Senate President said the era when banks could suddenly collapse and depositors lose their money was over, attributing the development to reforms under the Tinubu administration.

“Today, thanks to the bold vision and strategic foresights of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, our banking sector has transitioned from survival to absolute dominance,” Akpabio said.

He said the sector had become one of the safest, most resilient and technologically advanced banking systems in Africa.

According to him, the ongoing consolidation and recapitalisation of banks demonstrate that the administration’s economic policies are yielding results.

Akpabio said the reforms had helped restore investor confidence, protect depositors’ funds and position the economy for long-term growth.

Turning to insecurity, the Senate President acknowledged that security challenges remained a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development.

“Insecurity is a direct enemy of development,” he said.

“No foreign investor will build in an atmosphere of chaos, and no local business can thrive without safety.”

Akpabio said security agencies had shifted from a reactive approach to a more proactive confrontation of criminal elements.

“The security forces are taking the fight directly to the enclaves of criminals, bandits, and insurgents,” he said.

“The strategy has shifted from reaction to proactive confrontation, and I assure Nigerians that insecurity will be defeated.”

The Senate President also called for greater cooperation between citizens and security agencies, saying military hardware alone could not end criminality.

He urged Nigerians to provide credible and timely information to security authorities, describing citizens as a critical source of intelligence.

“Security is a collective civic responsibility,” Akpabio said.

“Our security personnel are working tirelessly on the frontlines, but they rely on actionable intelligence from the communities they protect.”

He urged citizens to end the culture of silence and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

“If you see something, say something to the proper authorities,” he said.

Akpabio also acknowledged the temporary economic challenges faced by Nigerians, saying the sacrifices being made were part of efforts to address structural problems and build a stronger economy says the reform has already yielding results

“We acknowledge the sacrifices of the Nigerian people,” he said.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet members are not resting on their oars.”

He said the administration remained committed to implementing policies aimed at creating a more prosperous future for Nigerians.

The Senate President urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to support national development and work with government institutions.

“Let us stand united, support our security agencies, and work hand-in-hand with this administration to build the nation of our dreams,” he said.

Akpabio has previously said Nigeria would overcome its security challenges, while the National Assembly has pledged continued support for security and economic reforms under the Tinubu administration.

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Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has addressed the public following the tragic death of 37 suspected illegal miners who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.

The victims were among suspects arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

The deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, after the suspects had been detained by the NSCDC.

Governor Bago confirmed the deaths and said an investigation had been launched to establish exactly what happened.

According to reports, preliminary accounts have raised questions about possible suffocation or exposure to harmful substances, but authorities have stressed that the actual cause of death has not yet been medically established. The remains have been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.

The NSCDC national headquarters has also constituted a high-powered investigative team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their period in custody, detention conditions and the medical attention provided to them.

In response to the tragedy, Governor Bago has declared three days of mourning for the victims. The Niger State Government also cancelled the APC political rally scheduled for Saturday, September 19, in Minna.

The incident has generated widespread concern, with families and members of the public demanding answers as investigations continue.

Authorities have appealed for calm while medical examinations and investigations are conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether any responsibility should be established.