Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has warned that Nigeria stands to lose more than $3 billion annually if it fails to align with European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Kyari spoke yesterday in Abuja during signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), with launch of Nigeria’s White Paper on National Strategy for EUDR Compliance, in Abuja.
The minister stressed the urgency for Nigeria to modernise its agricultural monitoring and traceability systems to avoid severe financial repercussions.
He said findings in the White Paper show Nigeria could lose over $1 billion in direct export revenue and more than $3 billion in economic value each year if its agricultural produce fails to satisfy EU’s stringent entry requirements.
Under EUDR, agricultural goods exported to Europe must be traceable to specific farm boundaries, produced legally, and demonstrably free of deforestation.
‘We cannot allow this level of exposure to place our farmers or our national economy at a disadvantage,’ he warned, noting that the situation presents an opportunity to enhance Nigeria’s global agricultural competitiveness.
He described the new compliance strategy as significant and forward-looking, saying it would protect farmers, upgrade value chains, and help Nigeria secure a stronger hold in international markets.
A key moment was signing of the MoU with NASRDA, which lays the foundation for an environmental and traceability monitoring system.
Under the pact, NASRDA will supply satellite data, real-time monitoring, and technical expertise, while the ministry will coordinate farmer engagement, policy alignment, and the national rollout plan.
The minister said the adopted Responsibility Matrix defines roles, timelines, and accountability mechanisms, with a Joint Steering Committee to ensure transparent execution.
He cautioned states against initiating parallel compliance systems, stressing EU will not evaluate on state by state basis.