Nigeria, Spain Strengthen Cooperation on Food Security and Livestock

Nigeria and Spain have strengthened their partnership on food security, nutrition and sustainable livestock development. The renewed commitment was announced at a high-level meeting held in Abuja by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. Government officials and development partners attended the meeting to discuss joint solutions to climate and food system challenges.

Source: starnewsafrica 

Speaking for the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Permanent Secretary Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi commended Spain’s support for sustainable food systems and climate adaptation in West Africa. She said Nigeria’s livestock development plan focuses on climate resilience, market access and inclusion. She identified feed shortages, grazing reserve rehabilitation, biosecurity and disease control as key priorities.

The Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Antón Leis García, called for stronger knowledge sharing and regional cooperation. He said climate change has increased floods, droughts and market disruptions in the region. He also reaffirmed Spain’s readiness to work with Nigeria and ECOWAS on coordinated food security programmes.

Discussions also highlighted the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve, where Nigeria hosts one of the largest storage facilities. Representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF and civil society groups attended the meeting. UNICEF projected that about 35 million Nigerians in 27 states may face food insecurity in 2026, with nearly three million children at risk of severe acute malnutrition. Participants called for coordinated action to strengthen food reserves and improve nutrition.