Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced the release of a landmark report titled Strategic Plan for the Development of Modern Wholesale Markets to Feed the Cities and Structure the Food Value Chain.
This report marks a new chapter for Nigeria’s agri-food sector, setting a path toward enhanced food security and sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony recently in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, emphasised that the strategy addresses some of the nation’s most urgent challenges, including reducing production losses, minimising logistical costs, and alleviating severe traffic congestion in major cities.
“With this strategic plan, we are taking deliberate steps to secure and enhance food security, safety, and quality across Nigeria”.
Our vision is to uplift millions of Nigerian farmers by increasing their income potential while creating thousands of new jobs across the agricultural value chain”, Senator Abdullahi said.
Central to this vision is an innovative integration of informal and formal markets to create seamless connections between local markets and processing hubs in Kano, Ibadan, and Owerri.
This synergy aims to strengthen traditional markets and establish an efficient, modern food distribution system.
The Minister also noted that Nigeria is on the brink of a significant transformation in fresh produce distribution to urban centres.
Inspired by the internationally acclaimed Rungis International Market in France, the strategy presents a customized, efficient, and sustainable approach to supplying fresh produce to the nation’s six largest cities.
In an investment meeting in Abuja, Senator Abdullahi encouraged increased investment in agricultural projects at the grassroots level.
Engaging with agro-allied investors interested in upgrading and linking Nigeria’s informal commodity markets to processing centres, the Minister highlighted plans to establish modern markets in Kano, Ibadan, and Owerri.
While responding, SEMMARIS investors detailed a proposal to design, build, and operate food hubs along key Nigerian corridors, creating a dedicated ecosystem for all actors in the agri-food industry.
A move the Minister welcomed and emphasised the importance of engaging all tiers of government.
He, however, advised aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of local government autonomy, with rural markets playing a central role in supporting this vision.
Also speaking, National Coordinator Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed further explained that the report delivers three key insights: an In-depth Analysis of Nigeria’s current food and agricultural distribution networks; Comprehensive Review of governance models and market development strategies and detailed Assessment of market infrastructure, along with a roadmap for developing modern agri-food markets.
Engr Bodinga said This isn’t just another policy document; it’s a blueprint for Nigeria’s future. The report consolidates these vital insights into a practical, action-oriented plan, offering FMAFS a strategic pathway to create a robust and efficient food distribution network that will serve both urban consumers and rural producers.
He explained that this milestone concludes the preliminary assistance program funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by SEMMARIS.
With this foundational phase complete, the next steps will focus on establishing a national network of agro-logistic hubs. Supported by donor and private investments in partnership with the Nigerian government, these hubs will help bring the vision to life.
