By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
In a significant diplomatic meeting on Thursday 6th March 2025, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone met with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde to discuss advancements in agriculture and regional cooperation.
The meeting also included the leadership team from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), reflecting a collective commitment to enhancing food security in the region.
The gathering, held in Freetown, is part of President Bio’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Feed Salone Programme, an initiative focused on improving agricultural productivity and fostering sustainable practices in Sierra Leone.
During the meeting, the leaders reflected on the outcomes of Bio’s recent visit to Nigeria, which centred on reinforcing partnerships between the two nations and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in agricultural research and innovation.
“Today’s discussions were pivotal in advancing our collective goal of enhancing food security and agricultural resilience in West Africa,” President Bio stated. He expressed gratitude to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and commitment to the partnership.
The IITA, renowned for its research and development in tropical agriculture, plays a vital role in this collaboration by offering expertise and resources to implement effective agricultural strategies.
The meeting highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges, such as climate change and food insecurity.
As both countries embark on this collaborative journey, the focus remains on leveraging agricultural innovation to improve livelihoods and ensure sustainable development across the region. This partnership is seen as a hopeful step towards a more food-secure future for Sierra Leone and its neighbours.
