SAA@40: Government officials, diplomats, investors gather to strengthen Nigerian agriculture

By Uzair Adam On Apr 8, 2026

A high-level workshop convening Nigerian government officials, state governors, and Japanese representatives is set to shine a spotlight on the growing Japan–Nigeria partnership in agriculture, as stakeholders seek scalable solutions to food insecurity, low productivity, and climate-related challenges across the country.

The summit, scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Abuja, was disclosed in a statement signed by Moses Nongoatse, Communication Officer of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria, and sent to SolaceBase on Tuesday.

The event will be held at Rockview Royale Hotel in Wuse II and will also mark the kickoff of SAA’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Themed “SAA@40: Deepening Impact and Expanding Reach at Scale,” the workshop is expected to bring together policymakers, diplomats, and development partners to review achievements, share lessons, and explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.

SolaceBase reports that the summit will feature representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Japanese officials, including Shuichi Suzuki, President of SAA, Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, and Keiji Ishigame, Chief Country Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Governors from key agricultural states, including Oyo State, Benue State, Kano State, Jigawa State, Nasarawa State, Yobe State, and Gombe State, are also expected to participate.

Speaking ahead of the workshop, Godwin Atser, Country Director of SAA Nigeria, said the summit would serve as a strategic platform to align national priorities with practical agricultural interventions.

“This workshop is more than a commemorative event. We are bringing together those shaping policy, those investing in agriculture, and those working directly with farmers to reflect on what works and agree on how to scale impact,” he said.

A highlight of the event will be the recognition of Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, governor of Gombe State, with a Special Recognition Award for sustained collaboration with SAA.

The governor’s partnership with the organisation over the years has strengthened agricultural extension, smallholder productivity, and rural livelihoods, with a focus on women, youth, and resource-poor farmers.

The summit will also review SAA’s 2021–2025 strategic plan, which emphasises regenerative and market-oriented agriculture, nutrition-sensitive approaches, and the use of private sector engagement to improve productivity and farmer incomes.

An exhibition of Japanese agricultural technologies will allow participants to directly engage with practical innovations aimed at boosting Nigeria’s agricultural output.

Established in 1986 by Japanese philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, SAA has been active in Nigeria since 1993.

The organisation works with governments, research institutions, private sector actors, and farmer organisations to improve the productivity, profitability, and resilience of smallholder farmers, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

The Abuja workshop is expected to move beyond commemoration, serving as a coordination point between government, development partners, and the private sector, highlighting the importance of sustained investment, collaboration, and innovation in strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.