Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agricultural resilience and regional food security with the hosting of the Central and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) Regional Convening, where a new digital platform for monitoring and responding to transboundary plant diseases was unveiled.
The three-day forum, which opened in Abuja on Wednesday, also witnessed the launch of the WAVE Research Logo, symbolizing renewed regional collaboration in plant health surveillance and disease control.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the convening as a demonstration of Africa's collective commitment to protecting crops that sustain millions of livelihoods and drive economic growth.
He stressed that healthy crops are fundamental to food security, noting that without effective plant health systems, Africa cannot guarantee sufficient food production, improve farmers' incomes or achieve sustainable economic development.
The minister warned that transboundary pests and diseases, including Fall Armyworm, Cassava Brown Streak Disease, Banana Bunchy Top Virus and Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease, continue to threaten agricultural productivity, trade and livelihoods across the region. He added that climate change has accelerated the spread of these threats, making early detection and coordinated responses increasingly important.
Abdullahi said the unveiling of the WAVE Rapid Response Decision Support Tool aligns with the Abuja Declaration, which calls on African countries to strengthen plant health systems, domesticate regional protocols and invest in digital surveillance technologies.
According to him, the platform integrates real-time surveillance data, scientific analysis and predictive modelling to enable governments to detect disease outbreaks early, make evidence-based decisions and deploy resources more efficiently.
He disclosed that Nigeria was selected as the pilot country for the digital tool, reflecting its commitment to modernising agriculture and strengthening pest surveillance systems.
The minister also acknowledged the contributions of the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), WAVE partners, donor agencies, researchers and farmer organisations for supporting efforts to improve plant health across Africa.
He emphasized that safeguarding plant health requires collaboration among governments, researchers, universities, extension workers, the private sector, development partners and farming communities.
As part of the event, Abdullahi officially unveiled the WAVE Research Logo, describing it as a symbol of scientific excellence, innovation, resilience and stronger regional cooperation in protecting Africa's food systems.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, said transboundary pests and plant diseases require coordinated, science-based and sustained responses because they do not respect national borders.
He urged participants to use the forum to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge and develop practical solutions for improving food security across West and Central Africa.
The Executive Director of WAVE, Prof. Justin Pita, said the initiative would focus on predicting and controlling viral diseases affecting staple crops such as cassava, yam and sweet potato, thereby strengthening food security across the region.
The three-day convening brought together ministers, commissioners of agriculture, heads of National Plant Protection Organizations, WAVE country directors, representatives of regional and international organisations, members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders from West and Central Africa.