Embassy of Japan Welcomes New FAO Representative, Strengthens Commitment to Food Security in Nigeria
2025/12/1
On 9 October 2025, Ambassador SUZUKI Hideo received Dr. Hussein Gadain, the newly appointed Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative to Nigeria, at the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria. Marking his first official visit to the Embassy since taking up his post in July 2025, Dr. Gadain expressed profound gratitude for Japan’s longstanding and reliable support to FAO programmes worldwide, including life-saving assistance delivered through the Japanese Supplementary Budget.
Dr. Gadain briefed the Ambassador on the alarming food security situation, with the latest Integrated Food and Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis showing approximately 30 million Nigerians facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity (Phases 3–5), including 4.6 million in acute need. He highlighted FAO’s ongoing work in the BAY States and beyond, focusing on agricultural recovery, value-chain development, improved catfish rearing, production of fortified foods to combat child malnutrition, and the innovative “Cash Plus” model combining cash transfers with seeds and tools.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting FAO’s efforts in livelihood restoration, technology-driven agriculture, and resilience-building.
Both sides expressed strong mutual interest in deepening collaboration to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce malnutrition, and achieve sustainable food security across Nigeria, building on Japan’s proven partnership with FAO in the country.
Dr. Gadain briefed the Ambassador on the alarming food security situation, with the latest Integrated Food and Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis showing approximately 30 million Nigerians facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity (Phases 3–5), including 4.6 million in acute need. He highlighted FAO’s ongoing work in the BAY States and beyond, focusing on agricultural recovery, value-chain development, improved catfish rearing, production of fortified foods to combat child malnutrition, and the innovative “Cash Plus” model combining cash transfers with seeds and tools.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting FAO’s efforts in livelihood restoration, technology-driven agriculture, and resilience-building.
Both sides expressed strong mutual interest in deepening collaboration to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce malnutrition, and achieve sustainable food security across Nigeria, building on Japan’s proven partnership with FAO in the country.