International
Ikpeazu, Spanish Minister Seek Stronger Nigeria Spain Agricultural Partnership
By Iyojo Ameh
Nigeria and Spain have renewed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, with a focus on technology transfer, food production, livestock development and investment.
The commitment followed a meeting between Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, and Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades, in Madrid on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The meeting was held at the Palacio de Fomento during a courtesy visit by Ikpeazu to the Spanish minister.
Planas congratulated Ikpeazu on his appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain and his presentation of Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI.
The minister said Ikpeazu’s assumption of duty would provide an opportunity to further strengthen existing relations between Nigeria and Spain, particularly in agro food production, animal health and irrigation.
He highlighted Spain’s experience in crop disease prevention and the development of improved, high yielding seedlings, which he said had contributed to increased agricultural and livestock production.
Planas also identified Nigeria’s large expanse of arable land as an opportunity for increased food production and development of agricultural value chains.
According to him, Spain’s use of improved seedlings, food preservation policies and consumption strategies has contributed to its agricultural performance, while technology helped reduce food losses by 20 per cent in 2025.
Ikpeazu said agriculture remained a major priority of the Nigerian government, particularly because of the country’s large youth population and the employment opportunities available across the agricultural value chain.
He said increased agricultural production could strengthen food security, create jobs and contribute to efforts to address irregular migration.
The ambassador expressed Nigeria’s interest in learning from Spain’s experience in improved seed production, livestock development and food preservation, while encouraging greater Spanish investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Ikpeazu cited the operations of GB Foods in Kebbi and Ogun states as an example of Spanish investment in Nigeria, noting that the use of improved seedlings had increased tomato yields from about 10 tonnes to more than 60 tonnes per hectare.
He also said Nigeria was interested in expanding animal production for domestic consumption and export, and called for collaboration with Spain in the sector.
The two officials agreed to encourage greater cooperation, technology transfer and investment promotion, while considering proposals from relevant government agencies and private sector stakeholders to further deepen economic relations between Nigeria and Spain.
