The Federal Government has commenced the second phase of the review of Nigeria’s agricultural laws to replace obsolete provisions with a modern legal framework capable of driving food sovereignty and agribusiness-led growth.

The Director, Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Hafsat Dupe Belgore, represented by Manbyen Mamvong, Assistant Legal Adviser, stated this at the opening of the Second Phase of the Stakeholders’ Technical Retreat on the Review of Nigeria’s Agricultural Laws yesterday in Abuja.

Belgore explained that the first phase of the exercise involved the comprehensive diagnostic mapping of existing agricultural legislations adding that during the first phase review, stakeholders identified obsolete provisions, overlapping mandates, regulatory gaps and areas where the laws are no longer in tune with current realities, including climate change, mechanization, agricultural technology, private sector investment and food systems transformation’.

She added that during the second phase, they have moved from diagnosis to concrete legal re-engineering, saying their aim is to validate findings and draft reform proposals from the first phase; to harvest sector-specific inputs to enrich the reform process; and to align the review with the Renewed Hope Agenda, other relevant national laws and international best practices.

In his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production Services, Hon. Bello Ka’oje, represented by the Committee Deputy Chairman, Rt. Hon Kelechi Nwogu said that ” the review of the eighteen agricultural laws is an important step towards ensuring that our legal framework remains relevant to the realities and emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s agricultural sector”

Hon. Bello Ka’oje stated that ” as a legislators, we remain committed to working closely with the ministry and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that outcome of this process translates into practical and effective legislation”

During the presentation of the proposed amendments to the 18 Agriculture Laws, the Consultant and Lead Partner, Thinkfield Law, Emeka Ogenyi pointed out that the retreat would ensure that stakeholders validate the proposed amendment, incorporate the approved input, and submit the final harmonized version to the Ministry of Justice for legal drafting.

He added that the amendments would ensure a modern, coherent, fit-for-purpose agricultural legal framework to support sustainable agricultural development and investment in Nigeria.

The retreat was attended by Members of the National Assembly, representatives of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Directors of the Ministry, representatives of agencies under the Ministry, resource persons, among others.