Nigeria and Ethiopia have taken a significant step towards bolstering continental food security through an exchange of high value agricultural seedlings, as Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Addis Ababa to represent Nigeria at the second United Nations Food Systems Summit.
The strategic partnership saw Nigeria gift Ethiopia 2,000 cashew seedlings and 100,000 cashew seeds ā enough to cultivate approximately 600 hectares of land ā in a move that underscores both nations’ commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
The seedlings were formally received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Efa Muleta Boru, at a ceremony that built upon Ethiopia’s earlier donation of 2,000 Haas avocado seedlings and 2,000 coffee seedlings to Nigeria in June 2025.
The initiative according to State House releas, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural diplomacy agenda, which seeks to strengthen bilateral ties while addressing food security challenges through what government officials term “Green Revolution Diplomacy.”
Vice President Shettima touched down at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport at 4:26 p.m. local time, where he was received by Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and senior Nigerian diplomats including ChargĆ© d’Affaires Amb. Nasir Aminu.
Immediately after his arrival, Shettima convened with Nigeria’s delegation, including Presidential Technical Assistant on Agriculture Marion Moon, to review the country’s objectives for the summit. “We are here to position Nigeria as a thought leader in African food systems reform,” Shettima had stated during pre-summit briefings.
The UN summit, running from 27-29 July, has brought together global leaders to assess progress since the inaugural 2021 summit and accelerate action towards resilient food systems. Shettima will participate in high-level discussions including a special event on transforming the coffee value chain ā a sector where Ethiopia holds particular expertise. “The Vice President’s engagements will focus on knowledge exchange and building strategic partnerships,” noted Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications.
On the sidelines, Nigeria’s delegation will join ministerial roundtables examining how public finance and trade policies can accelerate food system transitions.
Field visits to Ethiopian agricultural projects are also planned, offering Nigerian officials firsthand insight into proven practices that could be adapted for Nigeria’s food security drive.
The seedling exchange program forms part of this broader technical cooperation, with cashew ā one of Nigeria’s top agricultural exports ā now positioned as a diplomatic tool.
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