Vice President Kashim Shettima has unveiled a $500 million Niger Delta Agricultural Investment Fund aimed at expanding food production, jobs and non-oil investment in the region.
The fund was announced on Wednesday in Abuja at the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit, convened by the Office of the Vice President and the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Shettima said agriculture was central to Nigeria’s economy before oil became dominant, and argued that the Niger Delta should not depend only on crude oil when it has land, water and people who can support large-scale food production.
Vanguard reported that the summit, themed “Unlocking Investment for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation in the Niger Delta”, brought together governors from the nine Niger Delta states, federal ministries, traditional rulers, development partners and members of the diplomatic community.
Premium Times also reported that Shettima unveiled the fund during the summit and described it as part of a push to turn the region into a stronger agricultural investment destination.
Dr Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity, said the summit was meant to help unlock agricultural potential that has remained underused because investors lacked a coordinated pathway into the region.
He said the goal was to leave the summit with stronger partnerships, clearer commitments and an implementation path that could help the Niger Delta contribute more to food security and economic growth.
Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times
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