The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is set to spearhead discussions on Nigeria’s capacity to achieve sustainable food security at a major public-private sector engagement focused on the country’s agriculture and food systems.
The 2026 Economic Discourse will hold on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event will bring together key stakeholders from government, development agencies, the private sector, and the agricultural value chain to examine pathways for strengthening Nigeria’s food production and economic stability.
This year’s theme is “Food Security and Socio-economic Stability: Options for Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector Rebound.”
The Resident Representative of the United Nations FAO in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, will deliver the keynote address. The FAO confirmed his participation, noting that he looks forward to engaging with panelists and stakeholders to advance dialogue on agricultural development in Nigeria.
The event will be chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
A high-level panel session will be led by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muktar Maiha, and will feature notable stakeholders in the agriculture and food sector. They include Mrs. Dede Ekoue, Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Nigeria; Dr. Moji Davids, Managing Director of Xtralarge Farms & Resorts; Mohammed Magaji, President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN); and Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG).
Representatives from financial institutions, particularly agricultural desks of commercial banks, will also participate in the sessions, contributing to discussions on financing and investment in the agricultural sector.
Dr. Gadain, a seasoned international development expert with over 35 years of experience across Africa and the Arab region, currently leads the FAO’s strategic and operational engagement in Nigeria. His work focuses on sustainable agriculture, water and land resource management, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and food security.
Before his current role, he held senior positions within FAO and other international organizations, contributing to major development programmes in Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Yemen, and the Gulf region. He has led initiatives on irrigation development, early warning systems, climate adaptation, and integrated natural resource management.
In Nigeria, he oversees multi-sectoral programmes in collaboration with the federal government, ECOWAS, donor agencies, United Nations partners, civil society, and the private sector. He is also actively involved in policy dialogue, resource mobilization, and high-level technical engagements.
Dr. Gadain is widely recognized for his leadership in programme management, organizational development, and resilience-focused agricultural interventions. He frequently participates in international panels, technical workshops, media engagements, and development dialogues on agriculture transformation and climate action.
A Sudanese national, he is multilingual and holds a Ph.D. and Master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Hydraulic Engineering. He continues to advocate evidence-based and inclusive approaches to strengthening resilient food systems across Africa and beyond.
The Economic Discourse platform has, over the years, evolved into a major forum for dialogue between public and private sector leaders, focusing on economic development strategies and policy direction for Nigeria.
FAO to Lead High-Level Dialogue on Nigeria’s Food Security at Lagos Economic Discourse
