Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Ambassador Okezie Ikpeazu has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and Spain in the area of agriculture to boost food security and job creation.
Ambassador Ikpeazu made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades, at the Palacio de Fomento in Madrid.
The Spanish Minister congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and presentation of Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Felipe VI, noting that his assumption of duty would further strengthen cordial relations between both countries, especially in agro-food production, animal health and irrigation.
Planas highlighted Spain’s advances in crop disease prevention and high-yield seedlings which have boosted large-scale food and livestock production.
He noted that Nigeria’s vast arable land presents immense opportunities for value-chain development and said Spain is ready to share its technology, having cut food loss by 20 percent in 2025 through innovation and preservation policies.
In his response, Ambassador Ikpeazu thanked the Minister for the warm reception and said increased agricultural production remains a top priority of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
He said full utilization of the agricultural value chain would enhance food security, generate employment for Nigeria’s large youth population and help address irregular migration.
The Ambassador commended Spain’s innovations and cited successful Spanish investments in Nigeria, including GB Foods in Kebbi and Ogun States, where improved seedlings have increased tomato yields from 10 tons to over 60 tons per hectare.
Both sides agreed to promote closer collaboration, technology transfer and private-sector investment to deepen relations between Nigeria and Spain.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
