The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting food security nationwide through strategic support for farmers. This was highlighted on Wednesday during a training session held in Akwa Ibom for over 500 farmers drawn from the state’s 31 local government areas.
The training is part of a broader agricultural empowerment programme targeting 6,000 vulnerable farmers across Nigeria. The initiative focuses on equipping participants with modern farming techniques and market access strategies to help transition smallholder farmers from subsistence to commercial production.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe—represented by Dr. Bala David, Executive Director of Programme Development—emphasized that the Foundation’s mission aligns closely with national development goals, especially in enhancing food security and economic resilience.
“This initiative is a demonstration of our dedication to food security, economic empowerment, and national growth,” she said. “We aim to provide farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to grow their operations and improve their livelihoods.”
The NNPC Agricultural Training Initiative offers practical guidance on innovative farming practices, value chain development, and effective market linkage strategies. By supporting farmers with these skills, the Foundation hopes to increase agricultural output, reduce hunger, and improve national food sufficiency.
Akwa Ibom’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Atim Okoko, praised NNPC’s support. Offor noted that the training aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at eradicating hunger and promoting self-sufficiency.
“A nation that invests in its farmers is a nation that secures its future against hunger,” Offor said. “This initiative complements the state’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure that no household is left behind in the drive for food sufficiency.”
Farmers present at the training expressed gratitude for the knowledge shared and promised to put the techniques into practice. The State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Bassey Inwang, assured that the training would make a tangible difference in agricultural productivity in the region.
“We are thankful for this opportunity,” Inwang said. “With the new knowledge gained, we are confident that we can significantly increase our yields and contribute meaningfully to the state’s food supply.”
The NNPC Foundation’s nationwide initiative continues to roll out in other states as part of its broader mandate to support sustainable development, rural transformation, and long-term food security in Nigeria.
