By Prevail Inegbenose
Nigeria and Spain are set to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, technology transfer and investment following a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, and Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades.
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The meeting took place on Thursday, September 17, 2026, when Ambassador Ikpeazu paid a courtesy visit to Minister Planas at the Palacio de Fomento in Madrid.
Minister 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, expressing confidence that his tenure would further strengthen relations between both countries.
The Spanish minister identified agro-food production, animal health and irrigation as key areas where Nigeria and Spain could expand cooperation.
He highlighted Spain’s advances in crop disease prevention and the production of improved, high-yielding seedlings, which he said had contributed significantly to large-scale agricultural and livestock production.
Planas also pointed to Nigeria’s extensive arable land as a major opportunity for increasing food production and developing agricultural value chains.
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He said Spain’s agricultural success was supported by improved seedlings, food preservation policies and innovative technologies, adding that the use of technology contributed to a 20 per cent reduction in food loss in 2025.
Responding, Ambassador Ikpeazu said agriculture remained a major priority of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly given Nigeria’s large youth population and the vast opportunities available across the agricultural value chain.
He said greater utilisation of Nigeria’s agricultural potential would improve food security, create employment and contribute to addressing irregular migration in Africa.
Ikpeazu commended Spain’s expertise in improved seedling production, livestock development and food preservation, assuring that Nigeria was ready to work with Spanish partners to increase agricultural productivity and reduce food losses.
The Ambassador cited the operations of Spanish company, GB Foods, in Kebbi and Ogun States, noting that the introduction of improved seedlings had increased tomato yields from about 10 tonnes to more than 60 tonnes per hectare.
He also expressed Nigeria’s interest in expanding animal production for domestic consumption and export, while seeking Spanish expertise and investment in the sector.
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At the meeting, both sides agreed to promote closer collaboration, technology transfer and investment, with a commitment to facilitate proposals from relevant government agencies and private-sector stakeholders.
The development is expected to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and Spain, particularly in agriculture, food security and economic development.