Vice President Kashim Shettima has applauded the over $1 billion Green Imperative agricultural initiative, saying it is a milestone in Nigeria’s renewed strategic alliance with Brazil, grounded in mutual respect and practical cooperation.
Specifically, Shettima said the partnership represents a shared dream between two major democracies committed to practical outcomes and mutual prosperity.
Speaking Tuesday at the opening session of the 2nd Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima said the longstanding relationship between both countries was not defined by geography, but by common ambition.
The VP had earlier received the Brazilian Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, his wife, Maria Lúcia Alckmin, and members of the Brazilian delegation shortly after their arrival in Abuja for the SDM.
“Brazil and Nigeria are not bound by geography, but by a shared dream. Two large, diverse democracies. Two economies with immense natural and human capital. Two nations with the right to dream and the ability to build,” the Nigerian Vice President said.
He emphasised the transformational impact of the Green Imperative Project, jointly developed by both nations, which aims to deploy over $1 billion to deliver mechanised farming equipment, training, and service centres across Nigeria.
“This project will create jobs, raise productivity, and help secure Nigeria’s ambition to feed itself and others. The Green Imperative is a flagship of this partnership, and one we are determined to deliver,” he said.
The Vice President reaffirmed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to economic reforms that are reshaping Nigeria’s investment landscape.
“Fuel subsidies have been removed. The exchange rate has been unified. A new business facilitation regime has come into force. These decisions are not without cost, but they are restoring credibility to our markets and discipline to public finance,” he said.
While hinting that the administration was already laying the foundation for a one trillion-dollar economy by 2030, Shettima said: “We are moving from subsistence to scale in agriculture, and in energy, we are taking long-overdue steps to attract serious investment into gas production, refining, and renewables.
“We recognise Brazil’s experience in biofuels and renewable technologies and see clear opportunities for joint ventures, knowledge transfer, and co-investment.”
The Vice President called for enhanced cooperation in security, health, education and innovation.
“In health and education, our priorities are straightforward. We want to promote access, quality, and inclusion. From the rollout of a student loan scheme to digital learning platforms and expanded vocational training, we are investing in the minds and talents of our young people.
“The Memoranda of Understanding before our sister nations today speak to the breadth of this cooperation. But memoranda are only as meaningful as the follow-through they inspire. We must resist the temptation to confuse signing with solving,” he said.
Urging the sides to agree on practical steps to measure and enforce progress, the Vice President said: “Let this Strategic Dialogue Mechanism not be remembered as a formal reunion, but as a decisive pivot—from aspiration to execution, from promise to proof.”
…Visiting VP Alckmin speaks
On his part, Brazil’s Vice President, Alckmin, said the strengthening of the Brazil-Nigeria partnership was anchored in shared values and a concrete results agenda, stressing that “it is with great satisfaction that we witness the important results achieved in several fronts of cooperation.”
Alckmin highlighted Nigeria’s presence in the 2nd Brazil-Africa dialogue on food security held in Brasilia last May, pointing out areas where the two countries have strengthened partnership and cooperation.
“In the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in areas of agriculture and security, which will boost our cooperation, our partnership has been strengthened also by the frequent high-level visits such as President Bola Tinubu’s recent participation in the G20 and the upcoming BRICS meeting in July,” he said.