The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has urged Nigeria to ramp up food production to address soaring prices and reduce dependency on imports. Speaking at the inauguration of a soybean plant and refinery by CSS Global Integrated Farms in Gora, Nasarawa State, Adesina stressed the critical need to combat hunger amid escalating food costs.
Highlighting local farmers’ capacity to meet Nigeria’s food demands, Adesina reflected on his tenure as Minister of Agriculture under former President Goodluck Jonathan. “The price of rice at the time was N8,000 per bag. Today, it is over N100,000 per bag. Nigeria needs bold programs and policy support for its farmers to reverse this trend,” he said.
Adesina emphasized supporting agribusinesses across the agricultural value chain—from production to processing, packaging, and market supply—as essential to tackling the crisis. He praised CSS Farms for its significant contributions to food security and youth engagement in agribusiness.
The newly commissioned soybean refinery, with a daily production capacity of 10,000 liters of soybean oil, marks a pivotal achievement for Nigeria’s agricultural sector. “The refinery is a milestone. It will reduce crude soybean oil imports, which cost Nigeria $62.2 million in 2023,” Adesina noted.
Adesina also highlighted the AfDB’s transformative initiatives, including the $538 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program being implemented in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory. A second phase is planned to cover 28 additional states, with a $1 billion funding target involving the AfDB, Arab Bank for African Economic Development, and private sector investors.
Adesina revealed that the recent Africa Investment Forum in Morocco attracted $2.2 billion in investment interest for the SAPZ program, further solidifying its potential impact.
John Okpara, founder of CSS Farms, shared the farm’s remarkable growth from a one-hectare operation to 1,750 hectares in just six years. Employing over 1,450 workers, the farm produces soybeans, maize, cassava, rice, and other crops while processing them into value-added products.
Okpara also announced plans to establish an agricultural university to equip students with skills to launch agro-related businesses. “Every student who passes through the university will be equipped to create their own agricultural enterprise,” he said.
The developments highlights a renewed focus on leveraging local resources and investments to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and ensure long-term food security.
