2025 REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

REPORT OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE

REVIEW OF NBADF MEETINGS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ACTIVITIES (JANUARY – DECEMBER 2025)

WITH PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2026

1. INTRODUCTION

Pursuant to the resolution of the Nigeria–Benin Advocacy for Development Forum (NBADF) to conduct a comprehensive review of its meetings, resolutions, and activities for the 2025 operational year, the Review Committee was constituted to assess progress, identify gaps, and propose a structured programme of activities for 2026.

This report draws extensively from:

• The NBADF Year-End Report 2025
• The Working Paper on the Reopening of Chikanda International Border Post and Establishment of Yashikira International Cattle Market
• The Assessment Report on African Trade Corridors (Morocco, October 2025)
• Review of the FMAFS Soya Beans Intervention Committee Report

2. COMPOSITION OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE

• Major General Bamidele Shafa RTD. – Chairman
• Alhaji Alasoadura Salami – Member
• Dr. Raji Ahmed – Member
• Alhaji Umar Barka – Member
• Hajia Habibah Saidu – Member
• Madam Malika – Member
• Dr. Abubakar – Member
• Alhaji Adetona – Member
• Mr. Emmanuel Essien – Secretary

3. SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY OF REVIEW

The Committee reviewed:

1. Minutes and resolutions of NBADF meetings held between January and December 2025.
2. Committee reports and working papers.
3. Engagements with government institutions, traditional authorities, and international stakeholders.
4. Strategic policy documents related to border development, trade corridors, livestock development, and bilateral cooperation.

The review focused on alignment with NBADF’s MEMART, impact on border communities, and readiness for scale-up in 2026.

4. KEY FINDINGS FROM 2025 ACTIVITIES

4.1 Institutional and Governance Progress

• NBADF consolidated its governance framework through functional committees and clearer reporting lines.
• Regular meetings improved coordination among members across the six Nigerian border states.
• The Forum strengthened its credibility as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria–Benin border affairs.

4.2 Border Advocacy and Trade Facilitation

• Significant advocacy was undertaken for the reopening of strategic border posts, notably Chikanda International Border Post.
• The proposal for the Yashikira International Cattle Market emerged as a flagship cross-border economic initiative with strong alignment to:
• NBADF objectives
• National Livestock Development policy
• ECOWAS free movement and trade protocols

Reopening of Chikanda International Border Post

4.3 International Trade Corridor Exposure

• Participation by Alhaji Salami Alasoadura in the Morocco Trade Corridor Assessment (October 2025) expanded NBADF’s understanding of:
• Trans-African trade connectivity
• Single-window border systems
• Security, infrastructure, and axle-load harmonisation needs

ASSESSMENT REPORT ON TRADE CORRIDOR

• Lessons from Morocco are directly applicable to Nigeria–Benin border corridors.

4.4 Stakeholder Engagement

• NBADF engaged Federal MDAs, State Governments, traditional institutions, and private-sector operators.
• The Forum’s recognition as a bridge between government and border communities was reinforced.

4.5 REVIEW OF THE FMAFS SOYA BEANS INTERVENTION COMMITTEE REPORT

As part of its mandate to conduct a comprehensive review of NBADF meetings, resolutions, and activities for the 2025 operational year, the Review Committee examined the report of the Committee on the Request for Special Federal Intervention Funds for Direct Purchases of Soya Beans from Farmers, prepared for engagement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).

4.5.1 Context and Relevance to NBADF Activities

The Review Committee notes that the Soya Beans Intervention initiative represents a significant policy advocacy milestone for NBADF in 2025. The proposal is fully aligned with NBADF’s constitutional objectives under its MEMART, particularly in the areas of:

• Food security advocacy
• Protection of smallholder farmers
• Reduction of post-harvest losses
• Promotion of sustainable agricultural value chains
• Engagement with federal policy institutions

The initiative demonstrates NBADF’s evolution from general advocacy into issue-specific, evidence-based policy engagement with measurable national impact.

4.5.2 Alignment with National Policy Priorities

The Review Committee affirms the findings of the FMAFS Review Committee that the proposal is strongly aligned with current federal priorities, including:

• National Food Security Strategy
• Agricultural Value Chain Development Policy
• Strategic Grain Reserve and commodity price stabilization objectives
• Import substitution and agro-industrialisation agenda

The proposed mechanism of direct federal purchase of soya beans at harvest periods is consistent with international best practices for managing seasonal price volatility and post-harvest losses.

4.5.3 Institutional Compliance and Governance Considerations

The Review Committee concurs with the FMAFS Committee’s assessment that NBADF’s proposed role—limited strictly to:

• Advocacy
• Farmer mobilization
• Technical coordination
• Independent monitoring and reporting

—is fully compliant with NBADF’s MEMART, provided that:

• All intervention funds remain within government-approved financial channels
• NBADF does not engage in direct commodity trading or fund handling
• Implementation responsibility resides with designated government agencies and licensed aggregators

This clear separation safeguards NBADF’s non-profit and advocacy status.

4.5.4 Strategic Value to NBADF’s 2026 Programme of Activities

The Review Committee observes that the Soya Beans Intervention proposal provides a practical foundation for NBADF’s 2026 implementation-focused agenda, particularly in:

• Strengthening engagement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security
• Positioning NBADF as a credible policy partner in commodity stabilization discussions
• Expanding advocacy beyond border infrastructure into food systems and agricultural resilience
• Creating a scalable model that can be replicated for other strategic commodities in border communities

4.5.5 Identified Gaps and Enhancement Opportunities

Consistent with the FMAFS Committee Report, the Review Committee notes the need for continued refinement in the following areas:

• Clearer governance and oversight architecture
• Defined risk mitigation measures against diversion and quality failures
• Robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) indicators
• Phased implementation timelines, including pilot programmes

These refinements are necessary to strengthen acceptance by federal authorities and development partners.

4.5.6 Review Committee Position and Endorsement

The Review Committee formally endorses the conclusions of the FMAFS Committee and affirms that:

• The Soya Beans Intervention proposal is feasible, policy-aligned, and impactful
• The advocacy process followed by NBADF in 2025 reflects institutional maturity
• Subject to the recommended refinements, the proposal is suitable for sustained engagement with FMAFS and related MDAs

The Committee further recommends that the proposal be treated as a flagship agricultural advocacy initiative under NBADF’s 2026 Work Programme.

5. CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED

1. Limited funding for large-scale project execution.
2. Absence of fully costed multi-year implementation plans.
3. Need for stronger data, feasibility studies, and impact assessments.
4. Security concerns along border corridors.
5. Coordination gaps between Federal, State, and Local interventions.

6. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2026

Based on the review, the Committee recommends that NBADF’s 2026 agenda focus on implementation, institutionalisation, and scaling.

7. PROPOSED NBADF PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2026 (WITH TIMELINES)

Q1: January – March 2026

Theme: Institutional Strengthening & Policy Engagement

1. Finalisation and adoption of NBADF 2026 Work Plan
2. Formal engagements with:
• Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security
• Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA)
3. Submission of detailed technical proposals on:
• Chikanda Border Reopening
• Yashikira International Cattle Market
4. Capacity-building workshop on border trade, ECOWAS protocols, and security

Q2: April – June 2026

Theme: Border Infrastructure & Market Development

1. Stakeholder validation meetings in:
• Kwara (Yashikira / Chikanda axis)
• Ogun and Lagos border corridors
2. Feasibility and economic impact studies for:
• International cattle markets
• Border aggregation centres
3. Engagement with security agencies on border safety frameworks
4. Advocacy for inclusion of NBADF projects in State and Federal budgets

Q3: July – September 2026

Theme: Trade Facilitation & Regional Integration

1. Pilot border market initiatives in selected locations
2. Promotion of:
• Single-window border processes
• Digital trade documentation
3. Regional dialogue with Benin Republic counterparts
4. ECOWAS-focused workshop on free movement of goods and persons

Q4: October – December 2026

Theme: Evaluation, Expansion & Sustainability

1. Monitoring and evaluation of pilot projects
2. Documentation of lessons learned and best practices
3. Preparation of NBADF 2026 Year-End Report
4. Strategic planning retreat for 2027–2029
5. Fundraising and partnership development for long-term sustainability

8. CONCLUSION

The Review Committee affirms that NBADF made substantial progress in 2025, particularly in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic positioning. The Forum is now well placed to transition from advocacy to implementation-focused interventions in 2026.

The proposed programme provides a realistic, phased, and impact-driven roadmap aligned with:

• NBADF’s MEMART
• National development priorities
• ECOWAS regional integration objectives

9. RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Immediate adoption of the 2026 Programme of Activities.
2. Strengthening of technical and project management capacity.
3. Institutionalisation of partnerships with relevant MDAs and development agencies.
4. Dedicated fundraising and resource mobilisation strategy.
5. Continuous engagement with border communities and traditional institutions.

Submitted by:

Major General Bamidele Shafa RTD.

Chairman
REVIEW COMMITTEE
Nigeria–Benin Advocacy for Development Forum (NBADF)