The United States Embassy in Nigeria has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural trade and investment ties between the United States and Nigeria, with a focus on livestock development, agricultural technology and youth participation.
The initiative, tagged Freedom 250, was unveiled during a programme in Abuja, where U.S. livestock development expert, Dr Gregg BeVier, engaged Nigerian agribusiness leaders, policymakers and government officials on opportunities to expand agricultural partnerships between both countries.
A statement issued by the U.S. Embassy on Friday said the programme was designed to promote two-way trade and investment opportunities while creating stronger links between American agricultural businesses and their Nigerian counterparts.
As part of the programme, BeVier spoke at the All-Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
He also held discussions with officials of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Livestock Reforms and Implementation Committee on how partnerships with American private-sector agricultural companies could contribute to the development of Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The U.S. Embassy said the initiative also sought to expose Nigerian youths to opportunities to improve livestock productivity and participate in agricultural development.
BeVier connected with audiences across the 30 American Spaces in Nigeria, where he discussed ways young Nigerians could participate in livestock productivity and agricultural development.
He also joined representatives of other U.S. animal husbandry companies at the U.S.-Nigeria Livestock and Feed Connect event, a business-to-business platform designed to bring American and Nigerian livestock businesses together to explore potential partnerships.
According to the U.S. Mission, the programme is part of efforts to promote shared prosperity by supporting a more favourable business environment in Nigeria, particularly in the agricultural sector.
“The initiative forms part of the U.S. flagship Commercial and Investment Partnership and builds on longstanding educational and professional exchange programmes, including the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI),” the Embassy said.
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The Embassy added that the programme would help create new networks for future engagement, including potential Fulbright and IVLP opportunities focused on agricultural finance and trade.
BeVier, who has more than 37 years of experience as a business executive, currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of ST Genetics and Chief Executive Officer of Fast Genetics.
He previously managed the livestock portfolio at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a Senior Program Officer and has held senior positions in the livestock and animal health industries, including President of PIC, Senior Vice President of Livestock Operations at Premium Standard Farms and Head of the Production Animal Global Enterprise at Merial.
The U.S. Embassy said the Freedom 250 programme underscored Washington’s commitment to expanding commercial opportunities and building stronger economic partnerships with Nigeria, particularly in agriculture and livestock development.
