President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government is already targeting a regime of self-sufficiency in food production and consumption.
He explained that part of measures taken by his administration to achieve this was radically cutting down on imports of agricultural products that depleted the country’s foreign reserve in the past.
President Buhari gave the hint on Thursday while receiving the Letter of Credence from the High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Nigeria, Mr Lim Sim Seng, at the State House in Abuja.
He said the era of high import bills on food was fast becoming a thing of the past with growing investments in the agricultural sector, favourable weather, and collective will of Nigerians to start feeding themselves and exporting products.
“I am very pleased with the relationship we have with Singapore, and we are benefiting a lot from your experiences and investment,” the President told the diplomat in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina.
“Recently, I was in Kaduna (state) to commission one of your investments in agriculture. We are happy that you are also looking at the agricultural sector because that is integral to our economic blueprint for diversifying the economy.”
President Buhari noted that bilateral relations with Singapore would be further strengthened so that both countries can enjoy the benefits of competitive advantage, especially in exchange of ideas and technology which would enhance growth and improvement in the livelihood of citizens.
In his response, the High Commissioner of Singapore said his country could go into partnership with Nigeria in exchange for technical skills, training of entrepreneurs and public servants.
He described Nigeria as the ‘big brother of Africa’, adding an investment in the country would result in growth for the entire continent.
The President also received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner of Republic of the Philippines, Mrs Shirley Ho-Vicaria, and the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda, Nelson Ocheger.
He assured the countries of Nigeria’s cooperation on economic, security and diplomatic issues.