Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative -AANI

13/06/2026

Amplifying the agenda: thank you People's Gazet!

AANI urges government to prioritise security, food sovereignty, inclusive governance

The AANI president said food security should be treated as a national security priority.

12/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE

DEMOCRACY DAY 2026 - AANI CALLS FOR A SECURE NIGERIA, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, AND INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Abuja, Nigeria - June 12, 2026

The Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI) joins millions of Nigerians in celebrating Democracy Day 2026 and commemorating 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This milestone represents the resilience of the Nigerian people and their enduring commitment to democratic ideals, constitutional order, freedom of expression, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.

While acknowledging the progress made under democratic rule, AANI emphasizes that the true strength of democracy lies in its ability to guarantee the security, welfare, and prosperity of its citizens. No democracy can thrive where lives and property are under constant threat. Consequently, AANI calls on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to place national security at the forefront of governance, recognizing it as the foundation upon which sustainable development, economic growth, and social stability are built.

As a leading advocate for agricultural transformation and rural development, AANI maintains that food security must be treated as a national security priority. Agriculture remains the largest source of livelihood for millions of Nigerians, particularly smallholder farmers who produce the bulk of the nation's food. However, persistent insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on rural communities continue to disrupt agricultural activities, reduce productivity, displace farming households, and exacerbate hunger and poverty across the country.

AANI therefore urges government to adopt innovative and technology-driven approaches to addressing insecurity, including the deployment of advanced surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, geospatial intelligence, and other modern security solutions to strengthen intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms, and rapid response capabilities. Securing farming communities and agricultural value chains is indispensable to achieving national food sufficiency and economic resilience.

The Initiative further reiterates that agriculture should be the foremost democratic dividend to the Nigerian people, as no nation can attain sustainable development without guaranteeing access to affordable, nutritious, and sufficient food. Investments in agriculture, rural infrastructure, mechanization, youth and women empowerment, climate-smart farming, and agribusiness development must therefore be prioritized as strategic pathways for reducing poverty, creating jobs, and fostering inclusive economic growth.

AANI remains steadfast in its commitment to partnering with government institutions, development agencies, research organizations, and the organized private sector to promote evidence-based policy reforms, constructive dialogue, and actionable programmes that advance food security, rural prosperity, and national development. The Initiative also calls for the sincere implementation of true federalism, anchored on equity, justice, inclusiveness, and shared prosperity. Such reforms are essential for addressing longstanding concerns relating to marginalization, strengthening national cohesion, and ensuring that every citizen has an equal stake in the Nigerian project.

AANI strongly condemns the recurring abductions of students, teachers, farmers, and other innocent Nigerians across various parts of the country, including recent incidents in Oyo and Kwara States. These acts of criminality undermine public confidence, threaten educational advancement, weaken agricultural productivity, and endanger national unity. The Initiative calls for a united national response involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society, and citizens to confront and defeat all threats to peace and stability.

As Nigeria marks Democracy Day, AANI calls on all leaders and citizens to recommit themselves to the ideals of patriotism, justice, accountability, and national service. The future of Nigeria depends not only on democratic elections but on the collective ability to build a nation where every citizen can live in peace, every farmer can cultivate without fear, and every community can prosper in dignity.

Happy Democracy Day, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:
Ephraim Audu
National President

For; Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI)

10/06/2026

Behind the beautiful landscapes of Tsauni Village and surrounding communities in Kachia and Jaba Local Government Areas of Kaduna State lies a harsh reality. Many women and young people wake up each day uncertain of where their next meal will come from. Despite their resilience and commitment to farming, poverty, limited access to agricultural resources, and economic hardship continue to threaten their livelihoods and food security.

It was against this backdrop that the Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI), in partnership with the Dogara Gyet Foundation (DGF), embarked on the first phase of the Agricultural Intervention Programme for Women and Youth across 10 rural communities. The initiative reached 200 beneficiaries drawn from Tsauni Village, Gidan Tagwai, Kachia District, Katari, Kurmin Ciddi, Daddu Village, Sabon Sarki, Agom, Kwoi, and other adjoining communities, bringing renewed hope to families who have long yearned for meaningful support.

The most touching moments of the programme came from the voices of the participants themselves. Women shared heartbreaking stories of struggling to feed their families and sustain their farms amidst rising production costs and declining incomes. Young people spoke of limited opportunities and the growing challenge of securing sustainable livelihoods. Yet, amid these challenges, their determination to contribute to household welfare, community development, and national food security remained unwavering.

Moved by these realities, AANI and DGF with the support of our technical - GEM Business School, responded not with promises, but with practical action; through capacity-building, agricultural support, and empowerment initiatives, the programme sought to equip beneficiaries with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to improve productivity and build more resilient livelihoods.

At its core, this intervention is a demonstration of humanity in action - a deliberate effort to restore dignity, create opportunities, and empower vulnerable populations to become agents of change within their communities. It is a clear testament to the belief that sustainable development begins with investing in people and strengthening the foundations of rural prosperity.

As the beneficiaries return to their farms and communities with renewed confidence and purpose, the programme stands as a beacon of hope and a significant contribution toward the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals of No Poverty (SDG 1) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2). The journey has begun, and the impact promises to extend far beyond the fields of Tsauni Village, touching lives, transforming communities, and securing a brighter future for generations to come.

06/06/2026

AANI AND DOGARA GYET FOUNDATION LAUNCH AGRICULTURAL INTERVENTION SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH IN KADUNA STATE

On Friday, June 5, 2026, the Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI), in partnership with the Dogara Gyet Foundation (DGF), successfully launched an Agricultural Intervention Support Programme for Women and Youth under the Outgrow Hunger Project. The initiative is strategically aligned with the and agenda, advancing the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2 through targeted interventions across ten communities in Kachia and Jaba Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

The programme's first phase empowered upto 200 widows and young people actively engaged in agricultural production, providing them with intensive capacity-building sessions focused on Agribusiness Development, Entrepreneurship, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Climate Change Resilience, and Agricultural Value Chain Opportunities. The training was designed to strengthen participants' technical and business competencies, enhance productivity, improve income-generation potential, and promote sustainable agricultural practices capable of withstanding the challenges of a changing climate.

As part of a long-term empowerment strategy, beneficiaries were organized into cooperative clusters to facilitate access to microfinance, agricultural inputs, mechanization services, and other development financing opportunities. This approach is expected to foster collective growth, improve market access, and strengthen the economic resilience of smallholder farmers. Through this intervention, AANI and DGF reaffirm their commitment to combating poverty, enhancing food security, creating sustainable livelihoods, and transforming rural communities through inclusive agricultural development.

The partners emphasized that empowering women and youth remains critical to building a resilient agricultural sector and achieving lasting socioeconomic development. The initiative represents a significant milestone in the shared vision of nurturing prosperous farming communities, reducing hunger, and creating pathways to economic self-reliance for vulnerable populations across Kaduna State and beyond.

Together, we can outgrow hunger, eradicate poverty, and build a future of shared prosperity through agriculture.

27/05/2026

The Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI) extends warm Sallah greetings to the Muslim Ummah, wishing everyone a peaceful, joyful, and blessed celebration filled with love, unity, and prosperity.

As we commemorate this sacred season of sacrifice, faith, and compassion, AANI calls on government at all levels, development partners, and critical stakeholders to strengthen support for smallholder farmers across Nigeria. Empowering farmers through improved access to finance, inputs, technology, markets, and extension services remains vital to eradicating hunger and improving livelihoods.

Agriculture remains the cornerstone of food security, economic growth, job creation, and sustainable national development. Together, let us build a resilient agricultural sector that guarantees a prosperous and hunger-free Nigeria.

Mubarak!

22/05/2026

Today, 22nd May 2026, the Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI) successfully concluded its Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) Cohort 4 Training Programme, marking another major milestone in its commitment to raising transformational leaders and development-driven professionals across rural communities and underserved urban areas.

The final day of the programme featured high-impact sessions on coaching and mentorship, designed to strengthen collaboration, leadership capacity, and strategic networking across the agricultural value chain. Participants were equally equipped with practical knowledge on intervention documentation and effective strategies for mobilising development and intervention funds to drive sustainable enterprise growth and community impact.

Cohort 4 beneficiaries comprised over 100 Smallholder Farmers (SHFs) and MSMEs within the agricultural ecosystem, reinforcing AANI’s vision of promoting inclusive economic growth, enterprise sustainability, and agricultural transformation in Nigeria.

Congratulations to all Cohort 4 awardees for successfully completing this impactful programme and for joining a growing network of change agents committed to national development.

21/05/2026

Day 4 of the Cohort 4 Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) Training Programme recorded another impactful and intensive learning experience as the programme gradually approaches its conclusion.

The sessions commenced with a highly engaging presentation by Ephraim Audu, National President of AANI, on “Legal, Regulation and Compliance.” His session reflected AANI’s deliberate commitment towards strengthening the capacity of participants by equipping them with practical knowledge on business legal structures, taxation, filing processes, and regulatory compliance requirements necessary for sustainable business success.

The second session was facilitated by Dr. Bunmi Kola-wole Dawudu, Deputy Director at Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), who delivered an insightful presentation on “Financial Inclusion, Cash Management and Funding Structures.” Participants gained valuable knowledge on accessing financial opportunities, managing cash flow effectively, and structuring sustainable funding models for MSMEs and agribusiness enterprises.

Available records continue to show that AANI has surpassed its initial target of supporting over 1,000 Smallholder Farmers and MSMEs to become professional Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs), while remaining steadfast in its commitment to transforming livelihoods and advancing rural development across communities.