Nigeria, Spain Deepen Agricultural Cooperation As Ikpeazu Meets Spanish Minister

Nigeria and Spain have agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, technology transfer and investment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, held talks with Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades.

Ikpeazu paid a courtesy visit to the minister on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Palacio de Fomento in Madrid.

Planas congratulated Ikpeazu on his appointment as Nigeria’s principal envoy to Spain and the successful presentation of his Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI.

The Spanish minister said the ambassador’s assumption of duty would further strengthen relations between both countries, particularly in agro food production, animal health and irrigation.

Planas highlighted Spain’s experience in crop disease prevention, improved seedlings and large scale agricultural and livestock production. He said Nigeria’s extensive arable land offered significant opportunities for expanding food production and developing agricultural value chains.

He also pointed to Spain’s efforts to reduce food losses through improved preservation policies, consumption strategies and technology, noting that innovative technologies contributed to a 20 per cent reduction in food loss in 2025.

Responding, Ikpeazu said increased agricultural production remained a priority of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing Nigeria’s large youth population and the potential of the agricultural value chain to create jobs and strengthen food security.

The ambassador said greater utilisation of Nigeria’s agricultural potential could also contribute to addressing irregular migration by creating more economic opportunities for young people.

Ikpeazu commended Spain’s innovations in improved seed production, livestock development and food preservation, and expressed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with Spanish institutions and investors to improve agricultural productivity and reduce losses caused by inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure.

He cited the operations of Spanish company GB Foods in Kebbi and Ogun states as an example of existing agricultural cooperation, saying the introduction of improved seedlings had increased tomato yields from about 10 tonnes to more than 60 tonnes per hectare.

The ambassador also expressed Nigeria’s interest in expanding animal production for domestic consumption and export, while seeking stronger Spanish partnership in the sector.

Both sides agreed to promote closer collaboration, technology transfer and investment, with a commitment to consider proposals from relevant government agencies and private sector stakeholders aimed at expanding economic cooperation between Nigeria and Spain.