In a landmark deal aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s farming and energy sectors, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his Brazilian counterpart, Geraldo Alckmin, signed a $1 billion cooperation agreement on Tuesday. The pact, inked at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, commits both nations to deploy mechanized equipment, establish training centers, and bolster service hubs across Nigeria.
“This partnership moves us from subsistence to scale,” Vice President Shettima declared. “By introducing advanced farm machinery and targeted training, we will empower our smallholders and pave the way for true commercial agriculture.” Under the deal, Nigeria will receive tractors, harvesters and irrigation systems, alongside comprehensive technical support to train farmers in their use and maintenance.
With over 200 million mouths to feed and farmland largely held in small family plots, Nigeria has long struggled to boost yields and curb food imports. By leveraging Brazil’s expertise—home to some of the world’s most productive farms—the new agreement aims to increase local food production, strengthen supply chains and enhance food security.
On the energy front, the two countries will collaborate on gas production, refining and renewable technologies. “By attracting serious investment into our gas sector and renewable projects, we can fuel Nigeria’s industrial growth and reduce our dependence on imported energy,” Shettima noted.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent economic reforms—ranging from the removal of fuel subsidies to financial-sector recapitalization—have laid the groundwork for this partnership. “These reforms have reshaped Nigeria’s economy and made us an attractive destination for global investors,” the Vice President added.
Brazil’s Vice President Alckmin praised Nigeria’s reform agenda as “bold and forward-looking,” emphasizing that the collaboration would benefit millions of farmers and consumers. “Our goal is to share Brazil’s farming successes and support Nigeria’s journey toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030,” he said.
Beyond agriculture and energy, the agreement also touches on defense cooperation and technical exchanges in education and public finance. Both nations committed to ongoing dialogue and quarterly review meetings to ensure steady progress and accountability.
As Nigeria embarks on this ambitious collaboration, the deal signals a new era of South–South cooperation—one that harnesses shared expertise to drive sustainable growth and improve livelihoods across Africa’s most populous nation.