MFA in a Ground Breaking Cooperation, Deepens Partnership with IFAD for Agricultural Transformation in Nigeria.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at reinforcing international collaboration, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, on Friday, hosted Mrs. Dede Ekoue, Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Our source at the Ministry said that the high-level meeting, held on July 4, 2025 focused on strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and IFAD in areas of mutual interest—particularly sustainable agriculture, rural development, and food security.
Ambassador Ahmed described the partnership with IFAD as “strategic and timely,” emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to deepening agricultural transformation through international alliances. He lauded IFAD’s long-standing role in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural growth and reiterated the country’s openness to innovative, inclusive solutions that benefit rural communities.
Mrs.Dede Ekoue on her part , speaking commended Nigeria’s leadership in promoting regional food resilience and reaffirmed IFAD’s continued support to drive inclusive agribusiness, empower smallholder farmers, and enhance climate-smart agricultural initiatives across the country.
The meeting concluded with a shared vision to bolster collaboration frameworks that will translate into tangible development impacts for millions of Nigerians and the broader West and Central African sub-region.
