The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in partnership with House of Dorcas Integrated Services (HDI), Kyler Holdings, and the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), hosted a high-level stakeholders’ meeting and public workshop on November 18, 2025, aimed at enhancing food security through international collaboration. The event featured a distinguished delegation from Brazil and convened policymakers, researchers, industry experts, and development partners.
Representing Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, CFR, the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Angel Adelaja-Kuye, described the visit of HDI and its Brazilian partners as a strong vote of confidence in Ogun State’s agricultural capacity, its farmers, and leading institutions such as FUNAAB. She highlighted the State’s achievements in cotton development, recalling the successful cultivation of 4,500 hectares in 2021 in partnership with Nakatan and the Central Bank of Nigeria, with Ogun State farmers being the only group to fully repay their loans.
Dr. Adelaja-Kuye also revealed that under the Renewed Hope Cotton Resurgence Initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogun State is set to host a $2.5 billion cotton processing factory with a projected capacity of 1,000 tons daily. She added that the value chain is expected to produce up to four million garments and generate an estimated 250 million direct and indirect jobs across the cotton-to-garment ecosystem.
Earlier in the programme, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Professor Babatunde Kehinde, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Olawale Dairo, praised the partnership and reiterated the university’s commitment to advancing agricultural innovation. He urged participants to actively contribute to discussions focused on practical, research-driven solutions for sustainable food production.
A keynote presentation was delivered by Professor Luiz Lani of the Federal University of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Professor Lani drew parallels between the agricultural challenges facing Nigeria and Brazil, stressing the importance of bilateral cooperation. He highlighted that his university offers tuition-free Master’s and PhD programmes in English for international students and expressed readiness to expand academic collaborations with FUNAAB.
Also contributing to the discourse, Dr. Ronaldo Trecenti, Agricultural Engineer and CEO of Pio Consultoria Agroambiental, Brasília-DF, emphasised the role of sustainable agricultural practices and modern environmental management systems. He shared insights from Brazil’s advancements in precision agriculture, soil conservation, and water resource management, while expressing interest in replicating these successes in partnership with Ogun State institutions.
Other notable participants included Professor Victor Olowe, former Director of the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC); Professor Akin Omotayo, former Director of IFSERAR; and Professor John Oyedepo, Deputy Director of IFSERAR. They highlighted the importance of research-driven agriculture, effective extension systems, farmer training, and translating academic research into practical field solutions.
The experts commended the Nigeria–Brazil collaboration, urging sustained engagement to facilitate technology transfer, policy improvements, and increased youth participation in agribusiness. They emphasised that long-term partnerships and knowledge exchange are critical to addressing food security challenges in Nigeria.
The workshop provided a platform for in-depth discussions on modern agricultural methods, international cooperation, and strategies for building resilient food systems. Participants explored pathways to integrate research findings into practical agricultural innovations, particularly in the areas of crop production, mechanisation, and sustainable resource management.
The event concluded with a strong commitment from all stakeholders to deepen Nigeria–Brazil cooperation in agriculture, promote food security through research and innovation, and support policies that enhance the capacity of Nigerian farmers and institutions. The collaboration is expected to yield long-term benefits for sustainable agriculture, youth empowerment, and food production in Nigeria.
