Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung Sr. on Tuesday hosted a high-level bilateral meeting with Umar Namadi, Executive Governor of Jigawa State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as part of efforts to strengthen Liberia–Nigeria relations and boost cooperation in agriculture and investment.
According to a release, the meeting brought together senior officials of the Liberian government, representatives of the Nigerian Embassy, development partners, and private-sector actors to explore collaboration in key sectors, particularly agriculture, food security, and private sector development.
Discussions focused heavily on the rice value chain, a critical component of Liberia’s food security strategy, with both sides examining opportunities for joint investment, knowledge exchange, and technical cooperation. Welcoming the delegation, Vice President Koung emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming Liberia’s agriculture sector and achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.
“Rice is at the heart of Liberia’s food security and economic stability. We are committed to transitioning from heavy reliance on imports to increased domestic production,” the Vice President said, noting that Jigawa State’s experience presents valuable lessons for Liberia.
Koung also highlighted Liberia’s agricultural potential, including vast arable land and access to regional markets within the Mano River Union, while encouraging Nigerian investors to explore opportunities in the country. For his part, Agriculture Minister J. Alexander Nuetah outlined ongoing government initiatives to boost productivity through mechanization, irrigation, and value addition.
“In Liberia, food security is closely linked to rice security. Our focus is on increasing production through improved land development and structured support to farmers,” Nuetah stated, stressing the importance of partnerships in accelerating progress. For his part, Governor Namadi expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed Jigawa State’s readiness to collaborate with Liberia.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, driven by strong policies and support for smallholder farmers. We are ready to share our experiences and work together for mutual benefit,” he said. He highlighted key achievements in Jigawa State, including expanded cultivation, improved seed systems, mechanization, irrigation development, and farmer support programs, which have significantly increased productivity.
The meeting also explored avenues for sustained bilateral engagement, including technical exchanges and investment partnerships, with both sides expressing optimism about formalizing a cooperation framework in the near future.
The Office of the Vice President said the engagement aligns with Liberia’s broader agenda to strengthen regional ties, attract investment, and promote economic resilience through agricultural transformation.
