Shettima Seeks FAO, IFAD, WFP Chiefs’ Support For Lake Chad, Others

Vice President Shettima has charged top executives of key global food and development agencies on green revolution, Lake Chad and year-round farming in Nigeria.

The VP made the request during a meeting with the director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), QU Dongyu, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Álvaro Lario and the executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain.

At the meeting with the FAO DG, Shettima sought the organisation’s partnership in reviving the Lake Chad region, enhancing all-year farming, and supporting the federal government’s Green Revolution Project.

“The revival of the Lake Chad region, which is being threatened by multidimensional challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change, humanitarian crises, and conflict, requires a multi-pronged approach, development initiatives, conflict resolution, regional cooperation, and large-scale infrastructure,” VP Shettima said.

He emphasised the region’s enormous agricultural potential, urging FAO to play a central role in supporting its recovery.

FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, praised the political will of the Tinubu administration, describing it as a clear demonstration of committed leadership to transform Nigeria’s food systems.

He pledged enhanced FAO partnership and technical support.

In a similar meeting with IFAD President, Álvaro Lario, VP Shettima underscored the administration’s resolve to empower smallholder farmers, especially youth and women, with access to finance, mechanisation, and modern inputs.

“We are focusing on increased productivity, resilience, and commercialisation, not handouts,” VP Shettima noted, adding that Nigeria’s plan includes scaling up existing IFAD-supported projects to reach more rural communities.

The Vice President also met with WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, during which he commended the organisation’s longstanding humanitarian interventions in Nigeria.

He, however, reiterated the administration’s shift toward sustainable solutions.

McCain pledged WFP’s continued commitment to working with the Nigerian government in areas such as school feeding, nutrition, and support for displaced communities.