Agricultural Support in Nigeria: The Role of the World Bank in Commercial Farming

Agriculture has always been central to Nigeria’s economy. From the groundnut pyramids of Kano to cocoa in the West and palm produce in the East, farming once sustained livelihoods and positioned Nigeria as a global exporter. However, decades of neglect, oil dependency, and inadequate infrastructure weakened the sector. Recognizing the urgency of revival, international institutions like the World Bank have stepped in to support Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

At the 4th Bimonthly Progress Review Meeting of the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) in Kano, the World Bank Country Director, Onno Ruhl, reaffirmed the Bank’s readiness to help Nigeria make commercial agriculture a reality. With a $150 million project spread across Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Cross River, and Enugu States, CADP is designed to boost food security, strengthen agribusiness value chains, and reduce dependence on food imports.

Ruhl emphasized that the World Bank’s vision extends beyond safeguarding Nigeria’s food supply. The goal is to shift the narrative from import dependency to food exportation, enabling Nigeria to compete in global markets. For a country that once exported groundnuts, palm oil, and cocoa in large quantities, this initiative recalls Nigeria’s agricultural golden age while pointing to a modern, competitive future.

The CADP’s rotational review meetings also stand out as an innovation among 28 World Bank-supported projects, ensuring transparency, accountability, and knowledge sharing across states. Task Team Leader Lucas Akapa praised the progress, while National Project Coordinator Aminu Babandi noted that collective reviews help refine strategies and action plans.

As the Kano State Commissioner of Agriculture, Musa Sulaiman Shanono, rightly observed, commercializing agriculture has the power to create wealth, generate jobs, and restore Nigeria’s economic pride. With effective disbursement of funds, strong monitoring, and stakeholder commitment, agricultural support projects like CADP could be the game changers Nigeria needs.