Embassy of Japan in Nigeria Hosts IITA Director General, Reaffirms Strong Partnership in Agricultural Innovation
2025/12/1
On 2 October 2025, Ambassador SUZUKI Hideo received Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), together with a senior delegation at the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria. The courtesy visit underscored the decades-long collaboration between Japan and IITA in advancing agricultural research and food security across Africa.
The Ambassador warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted Japan’s continued commitment, with approximately 25 Japanese researchers currently working with IITA.
Dr. Ehui expressed profound gratitude for Japan’s sustained financial and technical support, noting that the visit aimed to strengthen ties further within the TICAD 9 framework. The delegation updated the Ambassador on wider dissemination efforts for the new yam variety and the use of digital agribusiness platforms to enhance market access, while expressing keen interest in expanding exchange programmes with Japanese institutions.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to agricultural innovation, resilience, and sustainable rural development in Nigeria.
The Ambassador warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted Japan’s continued commitment, with approximately 25 Japanese researchers currently working with IITA.
Dr. Ehui expressed profound gratitude for Japan’s sustained financial and technical support, noting that the visit aimed to strengthen ties further within the TICAD 9 framework. The delegation updated the Ambassador on wider dissemination efforts for the new yam variety and the use of digital agribusiness platforms to enhance market access, while expressing keen interest in expanding exchange programmes with Japanese institutions.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to agricultural innovation, resilience, and sustainable rural development in Nigeria.