Nigeria and AfricaRice partner to boost rice self-sufficiency

Nigeria's Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Nwaobiala Ezenwa Chukwuemeka, visited the AfricaRice research station in Mbé on August 21, 2026, to strengthen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the Africa Rice Center.

The collaboration aims to transform rice production systems to enhance regional food security and achieve rice self-sufficiency for Nigeria. By utilizing scientific innovations and climate-smart technologies developed by AfricaRice, Nigeria intends to boost domestic paddy rice production, reduce imports, and mitigate the effects of climate shocks.

Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, Director General of AfricaRice, noted that the partnership will focus on bolstering local seed systems and deploying climate-resilient technologies to meet the needs of Nigeria's population of over 220 million.