Policymakers, researchers, and development partners have charted a coordinated pathway for transforming Nigeria’s agri-food system, with a strong push for aligning policy, evidence, and implementation to deliver measurable impact.

They converged at a recent policy dialogue in Abuja, organised by the International Food Policy Research Institute, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and other partners, which brought together representatives from more than seven federal ministries, including Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources, Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as Youth Development.

Speaking at the session, Country Programme Leader, IFPRI-Nigeria, Oliver Kirui, said the engagement came at a critical moment when coordination across sectors is no longer optional.

“The session brought together a broad mix of stakeholders. It created space for stakeholders to align priorities, ask the right questions, and explore how best to support one another’s efforts,” Kirui said.

He noted that beyond government institutions, international organisations such as the World Bank and GIZ participated, sharing insights on ongoing interventions, particularly around food systems transformation.

“It was clear from these discussions that a significant amount of work is already underway across the country. This is not meant to be a once-a-year event; the goal is to sustain engagement and build momentum over time,” he said.

He explained that the dialogue prioritised identifying government needs requiring both policy and stakeholder backing, with key focus areas already outlined to guide future programmes.

“The aim is simple but critical: move from evidence to policy, and from policy to real impact,” Kirui stated, adding that addressing policy gaps would be central to scaling results.

The dialogue forms part of broader efforts to strengthen policy–research linkages under Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda, aligning with frameworks such as the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (2022–2027) and the National Development Plan (2021–2025).

Also speaking, CGIAR Country Convener, Nigeria, Aline Mugisho, emphasised the need for policies that reflect the realities of farmers and local stakeholders.

“One of the core purposes of policy is to create an enabling environment for people to operate effectively. What we are doing now is creating a more integrated platform where policy is shaped not just by experts, but also by input from the grassroots,” she said.

Mugisho explained that the newly introduced Policy Innovation Hub would serve as a “one-stop shop” for designing and refining practical, evidence-based policies. “It is a space where policies are not only discussed but also developed, tested, and refined based on real-world conditions,” she said.

She added that implementation would involve deeper engagement across federal, state, and local levels, supported by a cluster-based approach tailored to community-specific challenges.

On collaboration, Mugisho highlighted the role of private sector actors in scaling solutions. “These collaborations help ensure that interventions are practical, sustainable, and impactful,” she said, noting that partnerships must be intentional and demand-driven.

In his remarks, Director, CGIAR Policy Innovation Programme, Clemens Breisinger, underscored the importance of continuous dialogue in shaping responsive policies. “What we’re driving is a model where policy is shaped through continuous dialogue and engagement… informed by real-time evidence and grounded in local realities,” he said.

Breisinger noted that CGIAR’s policy engagement framework, currently implemented in countries including Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Colombia, is designed to strengthen the link between research and real-world outcomes.

Delivering his address, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by Bukar Musa, described agriculture as central to Nigeria’s economic transformation, especially in the face of current economic challenges. “We must go beyond existing policies and build on key frameworks to achieve agricultural and food system transformation,” Kyari said.

He stressed the need for innovation, stronger data systems, and increased investment, noting that productivity gaps remain a major concern. “Policy decisions are only as effective as the data and research that support them. We must strengthen the link between policy, science, and implementation,” he said.

The minister outlined priority areas, including improving productivity and market access, promoting climate-smart technologies, strengthening value chains, and enhancing food security, particularly for women and children.

He also called for greater private sector participation, urging the government to create an enabling environment that supports investment and agro-processing.

The dialogue, themed around expanding partnerships for transformative impact, is expected to produce a shared understanding of policy gaps, define research priorities beyond 2027, and strengthen collaboration between government and research institutions.