FAO DG Meets Nigeria’s Livestock Minister to Advance Sector Reforms

News in Brief:

-FAO’s Director-General and Nigeria’s Livestock Minister met to discuss reforms that will modernise livestock production and enhance food security.

-The agency is set to inaugurate its new Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (FAO MuNe) in Rome, showcasing eight decades of global food and agricultural evolution.

The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Qu Dongyu, recently met with Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar, to advance discussions on critical reforms aimed at modernising and expanding Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The meeting focused on building stronger institutions, improving animal health and productivity, and developing sustainable livestock value chains that can adapt to the realities of climate change.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between FAO and the Nigerian government to promote food security, employment creation, and economic growth.

The discussions took place just weeks ahead of the launch of FAO’s new Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (FAO MuNe) in Rome, scheduled for October 16, 2025. The event coincided with World Food Day and FAO’s 80th anniversary celebration.

A New Cultural and Learning Hub in Rome

Located near the Circus Maximus and Colosseum, FAO MuNe is set to become a global centre for cultural exchange, education, and innovation in food and agriculture.

Supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the museum also houses the historic David Lubin Memorial Library, reflecting FAO’s legacy in agricultural knowledge and sustainable food systems.

Covering 1,300 square meters and organised across 12 themed rooms, the museum will showcase archival materials, rare photographs, and historical documents tracing the evolution of global food systems over the past eight decades.

Art, Culture, and the Future of Food

At the heart of FAO MuNe lies a unique international art collection featuring over 60 works from about 40 FAO Member States. Each piece represents the landscapes, traditions, and agricultural heritage of its home country.

Highlights include Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Cultivating the Third Paradise,” which explores the relationship between technology, society, and nature, and Pablo Atchugarry’s “Peace with Nature,” a sculpture built around a century-old olive tree symbolising humanity’s harmony with the environment.

The museum also features FoodS Lab, a fully equipped global kitchen for culinary demonstrations, workshops, and expert discussions centred on food innovation and sustainability.

Interactive digital tools will enable visitors to engage with topics such as future farming and nutrition, reinforcing FAO’s mission to inspire learning and promote global agricultural transformation.