…Discussions Focus on Strengthening Food Security in Nigeria
The President of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), Mr. Shuichi Suzuki, today met with former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as part of his week-long familiarization visit to Nigeria, aimed at strengthening partnerships and advancing the country’s agricultural development and food security agenda.
The meeting, which took place on Monday in Abeokuta, was part of Mr. Suzuki’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, including government officials and international development partners.
Chief Obasanjo commended SAA for its consistent commitment and long-term investment in Nigeria’s agricultural growth, urging African leaders to emulate the organization’s dedication.
In his remarks, Mr. Suzuki reaffirmed SAA’s dedication to deepening its partnership with Nigeria, stressing that the country’s strength lies in its vast agricultural resources and vibrant youth population.
During the closed-door meeting, both leaders discussed collaborative opportunities to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and support national food security initiatives.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, The Country Director of SAA in Nigeria, Dr. Godwin Atser, described the visit to chief Obasanjo as both strategic and timely.
According to him, the visit allowed Mr. Suzuki to better understand the importance of agricultural landscape, its challenges, opportunities, and the impact SAA has made over the years,”
He noted that the Association has reached over 20 million farmers in Nigeria in the past three decades through innovative agricultural extension models, while emphasizing the need to scale up to reach more farming communities.
Founded in 1986, SAA is a Tokyo-based non-governmental organization dedicated to agricultural extension and smallholder farmer development. The Association operates in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali, and Uganda, and since 1992, it has worked with Nigerian institutions and development agencies to promote climate-smart agriculture, technology adoption, and sustainable livelihoods.
Prior to his visit to Chief Obasanjo, Mr. Suzuki also held meetings with key partners in Abuja, including the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, His Excellency, Suzuki Hideo; the Director of Extension, Federal Department of Extension, Mr. Olawumi Ayodele; and the Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Ms. Dede Ekoue.
This visit marks Mr. Suzuki’s first official engagement in Nigeria since assuming leadership of SAA.
Before joining the organization, he had a distinguished career at Sumitomo Corporation, where he served in senior executive roles across Baghdad, Singapore, Paris, and London, rising to become Corporate Officer and General Manager of the Steel Pipe Division, and later leading the Energy Division. After his retirement in 2019, he continued as Advisor and Counselor to Sumitomo’s Mineral Resources and Chemicals Business Unit and Chairman of GYXIS Corporation.
Mr. Suzuki is widely recognized for his advocacy of sustainable growth, global collaboration, and responsible resource management—values he continues to uphold in his leadership at Sasakawa Africa Association.