Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the $1 billion Nigeria-Brazil Green Imperative agricultural programme, describing it as a landmark in the renewed strategic partnership between both nations.
Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mr Shettima said the initiative symbolises shared values and mutual aspirations between the two major democracies.
“The Green Imperative is a flagship of this partnership. It will create jobs, boost productivity, and support Nigeria’s food security agenda,” Mr Shettima said, adding that the collaboration represents ‘a shared dream’ between Nigeria and Brazil.
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He also reaffirmed the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at restoring market credibility, noting the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and implementation of business facilitation measures.
Highlighting Nigeria’s ambitious target to grow its economy to $1 trillion by 2030, Mr Shettima said Nigeria is prioritising large-scale agriculture, energy investments, and skills development.
His Brazilian counterpart, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, stressed that the alliance is driven by shared values and tangible results, citing the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in key areas such as agriculture, defence, energy, tourism, culture, and drug control.
Mr Alckmin also invited Nigeria to participate in COP30 in Belém later this year to deepen collaboration on climate change, energy transition, and the green economy.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, noted that Nigeria’s ties with Brazil date back to the 1960s and that the SDM provides a platform to strengthen these relations through meaningful cooperation.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, described the partnership as one rooted in deep cultural and historical connections, adding that Brazil views relations with Africa as integral to its domestic and international agenda.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, highlighted new opportunities for defence cooperation, particularly in maritime security in the South Atlantic.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, called for enhanced collaboration in agriculture to drive Nigeria’s food security strategy.
Also in attendance were senior government officials, including the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Health, Power, Livestock Development, Culture, and Innovation, as well as governors from Borno, Ebonyi, and Niger States.
Seven MoUs were signed on the first day, covering agriculture, defence, energy, livestock development, audiovisual cooperation, tourism, and counter-narcotics.
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The Green Imperative Project, central to the partnership, is expected to deliver modern agricultural machinery, service centres, and training across Nigeria to transform the nation’s farming sector.
Both sides emphasised that the success of the agreements would depend on concrete action and measurable progress.
