By G. Watson Richards
The Vice President of Liberia, Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr., on Tuesday hosted a high-level meeting with His Excellency Umar Namadi, Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria, during the Governor’s official visit to Liberia.
The discussions focused on strengthening Liberia, Nigeria relations at the subnational level, with a particular emphasis on agricultural development, food security, and private sector investment. Senior Liberian officials, representatives of the Nigerian Embassy, development partners, and private sector actors participated in the engagement.
Highlighting Liberia’s commitment to transforming its agriculture sector, Vice President Koung stated,
“Rice is at the heart of Liberia’s food security and economic stability. We are committed to transitioning from heavy reliance on imports to increased domestic production. The experience of Jigawa State offers a valuable opportunity for learning, adaptation, and accelerated agricultural transformation.”
He also emphasized Liberia’s comparative advantages, including abundant arable land and access to regional markets within the Mano River Union, while encouraging Nigerian investors to consider Liberia as a strategic destination for agribusiness opportunities.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, highlighted ongoing initiatives to boost rice production, including mechanization, irrigation, land development, and value addition. He noted that structured support for smallholder farmers, through access to inputs, extension services, and markets, is critical for sustainable agricultural transformation.
Governor Namadi expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed Jigawa State’s readiness to collaborate.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of Jigawa State’s economy, driven by policy support and smallholder farmer empowerment. We are encouraged by Liberia’s vision and look forward to sharing experiences and building mutually beneficial partnerships,” he said.
The Governor outlined Jigawa State’s successful interventions, including expansion of cultivated land, improved seed systems, establishment of mechanization centers, and structured farmer support programs, all contributing to higher productivity and reduced reliance on imports.
Discussions explored potential areas of collaboration, such as technical exchanges, investment partnerships, and a framework for sustained bilateral engagement. Both parties expressed optimism about converting dialogue into actionable initiatives, including a potential bilateral cooperation agreement.
The Office of the Vice President noted that the engagement aligns with Liberia’s broader agenda to strengthen regional cooperation, attract investment, and enhance national productivity and economic resilience, while supporting sustainable development and improved livelihoods.
