Agada Hails Tinubu As NASC Unveils National Seed Reforms At SeedConnect Africa 2025
AGADA HAILS TINUBU AS NASC UNVEILS NATIONAL SEED REFORMS AT SEEDCONNECT AFRICA 2025
Chairman of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) Governing Board and Chairman Benue State All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Austin Agada, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive support for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, describing it as the driving force behind the new era of reforms unveiled at the 8th SeedConnect Africa Conference & Exhibition 2025 held on November 26–27 at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Dr. Agada, in his goodwill message, said President Tinubu’s commitment paved the way for three landmark achievements showcased at the event; the official launch of the Seeds for Renewed Hope Programme, the unveiling of the Nigeria Seed System Strategy Document, and the commemoration of NASC’s 50th Anniversary, marked by the unveiling of a commemorative logo.
He asserted that these milestones signal a historic leap in strengthening Africa’s seed system and securing the continent’s food future.
The NASC Board Chairman also commended Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, represented by Hon. Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, for providing strategic leadership as Chairman of the opening session. He further praised Honourable Ministers and the Director-General of NASC, Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed, whose welcome remarks set the tone for what has become the largest annual convergence of seed industry stakeholders in Africa.
This year’s SeedConnect Afr
ica, themed “Seeds for Africa’s Future: Innovation, Resilience & Food Security,” brought together ministers, development partners, research institutions, seed companies, lawmakers, investors, and farmer groups. In attendance were the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi (represented), and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (represented).
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Delegates later toured the exhibition arena, featuring cutting-edge innovations in biotechnology, seed processing, breeding technologies, climate-resilient seed varieties, and digital tools for seed traceability.
Panel discussions examined critical issues shaping the future of the sector, including:
Unlocking financing for seed value chains
Agricultural biotechnology and food security—“How Safe Are GMOs?”
Innovations for effective seed dissemination
Seed import and export: policy shifts, opportunities, and the need for inter-country collaboration
Speakers reiterated that quality seed remains the foundation of agricultural productivity, stressing that no nation can achieve food security without a strong, efficient, and well-regulated seed system.
The two-day event concluded with a communiqué capturing recommendations for strengthening governance, expanding farmer access, deepening private-sector investment, and accelerating innovation within Nigeria’s and Africa’s seed system. SeedConnect Africa 2025 once again affirmed Nigeria’s central role in shaping the future of seed development on the continent.
