U.S. Department, Nigerian Partners Host Agricultural Trade Roundtable to Share Agricultural Trade Policy Insights and Recommendations

By: Michael Mike

The U.S. Mission’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) office in Lagos has partnered with the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce’s (NACC), Kaduna

Chapter and the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) to host a “Discussion Roundtable on

Innovative Approaches to Agricultural Trade for Economic Growth and Food Security.”

The event was attended by Nigerian agricultural trade policy advisors, legislator

representatives, agribusiness leaders, researchers, regulators, and U.S. agricultural trade associations. The discussions focused on the impacts of Nigeria’s agricultural trade restrictions on food prices, local production, and investment. Experts presented on

innovative approaches to agricultural trade that have successfully been used in other

countries and could be adapted in Nigeria to support its economic growth and food

security goals.

The event featured the presentation of Nigerian-led research conducted in consultation with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) on the impact of Nigeria’s agricultural trade restrictions on food prices, local production, and value-added processing.

Key findings from the NIPSS research highlighted the adverse effects of

agricultural trade restrictions, including increasing food prices for consumers, shifting trade to informal channels which reduce government revenues and decrease food safety oversight, and a lack of regulatory clarity for Nigerian agribusinesses engaged in trade.

Recommendations included adjusting trade restrictions to ensure long-term stability of

food prices and raw material availability. Experts presented case studies of innovative agricultural trade practices, such as tariff rate quotas and a private-sector led export trading company mechanism that transparently values and distributes the financial benefits of an import quota to domestic stakeholders for scientific, educational, or promotional programmes.

During the event, Chairman of NACC’s Kaduna Chapter, Matthew Obogbaimhe, shared that “Revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector requires more than trade restrictions; it demands innovation, sustainable practices, and investment in infrastructure. This vision is why the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce chose to partner with FAS to drive

agricultural innovation and trade across Africa.”

“The roundtable provided a unique platform to exchange ideas and explore innovative

agricultural trade policies that benefit the consumers and farmers from Nigeria and the United States,” said Agricultural Counselor for the FAS office in

Lagos, Christopher Bielecki, adding that: “By fostering dialogue, we discussed innovative solutions to strengthen agricultural trade, reduce costs for agribusinesses and consumers, and drive prosperity for American and Nigerian farmers.

NABG Director General, Jafar Umar, noted “As the leading voice of agribusiness in Nigeria, we believe this roundtable is both timely and highly relevant to the national discourse on advancing trade and strengthening food security. We are happy to partner with FAS on this important initiative, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration through many more impactful engagements in the future.”

The U.S. Mission’s Foreign Agricultural Service office in Lagos looks forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Nigeria and agribusiness stakeholders to translate the Roundtable’s recommendations into action. By working together to advance innovative

agricultural trade policies, the United States and Nigeria can foster greater food security,

create opportunities for valued-added processing, investment, and strengthen trade for our agricultural sectors.

U.S. Department, Nigerian Partners Host Agricultural Trade Roundtable to Share Agricultural Trade Policy Insights and Recommendations