CEM REPORT, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE | Embattled Ukraine has named Nigeria as its top choice to establish grain hubs in Africa.
Ukraine also says it seeks to establish a better diplomatic relationship with Nigeria.
This was revealed by the Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solskyi, at the signing of the “Grains from Ukraine” project which will be implemented by February.
Solskyi who led a delegation to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and his Agriculture and Rural Development counterpart, Mohammad Abubakar, in Abuja noted that the grain hub plan for Nigeria if well implemented would be a practical step towards businesses reaching a new level.
“Despite the war with Russia, the Ukrainian food industry wants to have closer relations with Nigeria and we are very thankful to you that your country is ready to develop these relations.
“Despite all the events going on in the world, our countries are ready to develop this cooperation. The Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian president are ready to pay a lot of attention to this development. We want to have regular contacts every year not only by our agriculture ministers but other ministers as well.”
The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Abubakar, promised the set-up of ports for Ukraine’s grain hubs in the country.
“We appreciate and commend you that despite the war you still found time to extend a gesture of friendship to Nigeria and also donated grains. I can assure you that the relations with Ukraine will improve, we have been having business with Ukraine, especially in the agriculture sector and I can say that over 30% of our agricultural businesses are with Ukraine, especially in the area of wheat, fertilizer and other grains. And this I can assure you will continue to improve our relationship.”
