CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST- Consultancy: Development of National Strategy on Agroecology in Nigeria

ActionAid (AA) Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, which is a global alliance of organisations working towards achieving a world without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys the right to a life with dignity. As a large and visible development organisation, we work in over 45 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. Our expertise lies in community-led approaches to development and working through partnerships with the poor and other grassroot organisations. 

Background 

The Strategic Partnerships for Agroecology and Climate Justice in West Africa (SPAC-West Africa) Nigeria Project, funded by ActionAid International’s Transformative Impact Fund (3-year project), aims to improve food and nutrition security and enhance agroecological skills of 120,000 Smallholder Women Farmers (SHWFs) and young people. This is to be achieved by facilitating access to early maturing seeds, seedlings, livestock, and poultry, thus supporting agroecological practices, indigenous seeds, and agrobiodiversity preservation for increased yields. 

Through agroecology budget monitoring, tracking, and advocacy to expand fiscal spaces, rightsholders will benefit from budget increases and allocations in agriculture. The project will also establish and scale 26 model agroecological farms led by SHWFs to increase the adoption of agroecological practices. Implementation is ongoing in Jigawa, Delta, Ebonyi, Ondo, Taraba, the FCT, and at the national level. 

Rationale 

The prevalent use of chemical inputs, unsustainable farming practices, and climate change impacts threaten agrobiodiversity, soil health, and smallholder livelihoods. Agroecology offers an integrated, climate-resilient pathway for sustainable food systems in Nigeria. However, there is currently no comprehensive National Strategy on Agroecology for Nigeria to guide coordinated policy, planning, and implementation. 

The 46th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security approved that a National Strategy on Agroecology for Nigeria should be developed and domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for coordination and scale up of Agroecology Programmes in Nigeria. To support this, ActionAid Nigeria, through the SPAC-West Africa Nigeria Project, seeks to engage a qualified consultant to develop the National Strategy on Agroecology for Nigeria. This strategy will serve as a guiding framework for government, civil society, research institutions, and the private sector to promote agroecology as a pathway to food sovereignty, climate resilience, and inclusive rural development. 

Objectives 

• Develop a comprehensive, evidence-based National Strategy on Agroecology for Nigeria that aligns with national priorities (Nigeria's National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP 2022-2027), etc.), regional frameworks (e.g., ECOWAP), and global commitments. The strategy should reflect the realities of Nigerian farmers particularly smallholder women farmers and youth and promote agroecology as a transformative approach to food and nutrition security, biodiversity conservation, and climate justice. 

• Integrate gender equality, youth empowerment, indigenous knowledge and indigenous Seeds, Seedlings and Livestock for Agro Biodiversity Preservation and Promotion into the strategy. 

• Propose a practical implementation plan with clear roles, timelines, and resource mobilisation strategies. 

Methodology 

The methodology will include but not be limited to: 

• Desk reviews of national, regional, and international policies, strategies, and frameworks on agriculture, agroecology, biodiversity, and climate change. 
• Stakeholder mapping and consultations at national and sub-national levels. 
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder workshops to co-develop the strategic priorities. 
• Drafting and validation of the National Strategy document. 

Scope of Work 

The consultant will undertake the following tasks: 

1. Conduct a situational analysis of agroecology in Nigeria, including strengths, gaps, and opportunities. 
2. Review global and regional best practices on national agroecology strategies and draw lessons relevant to Nigeria. 
3. Engage key stakeholders, including ministries, CSOs, farmer organisations, academia, private sector actors, and development partners, to ensure inclusivity in the strategy design. 
4. Define the vision, goals, strategic objectives, and priority actions for agroecology in Nigeria. 
5. Integrate cross-cutting issues such as climate justice, indigenous seed systems, market access, and women and youth empowerment. 
6. Develop an implementation and monitoring framework for the strategy. 
7. Facilitate a national validation workshop (hosted by AAN) and finalise the strategy based on feedback. 

Contract Period 

The consultancy will last thirty (30) days, inclusive of consultations, drafting, validation meeting participation, submission of the final strategy, and presentation during the National Summit on Agroecology and PPP. 

Required profile for consultant: 

The consultant (she/he) to be recruited should have the following qualifications and experience: 

• Advanced degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Rural Development, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Economics or related fields. 
• Proven track record in policy development, strategic planning, and research in agriculture, agroecology, or food systems. 
• At least 15-20 years of experience working with government, civil society, and development partners in policy or programme design in West Africa or in similar assignments. 
• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s agricultural policy landscape and relevant global/regional frameworks. 
• Demonstrated experience facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and high-level consultations. 
• Excellent analytical, research, writing, presentation, and facilitation skills. 
• Evidence of similar assignments conducted in Nigeria or West Africa (to be provided in the expression of interest). 

Payment 

The Consultant shall be paid a daily consultancy fee of N200,000. Fifty percent of the total sum shall be paid in advance at the beginning of the consultancy period at the receipt of an inception report. The balance of 50% will be paid when the final reports have been submitted and signed off by ActionAid Nigeria’s Director of Programmes. 

ActionAid will deduct 5% withholding tax from the total sum in accordance with the Nigeria tax law for onward remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service. 

Reporting Lines 

The consultant will report to the Food Systems Specialist, ActionAid Nigeria, who will confirm satisfactory completion of the assignment before final payment. 

Ownership of Output 

Outputs of the work done as stipulated in the call expression of interest belongs to ActionAid Nigeria 

Submission of expression of interest 

Please send your expression of interest (detailing your approach to the assignment) and profile/CV in one Microsoft Word document to: procurement.nigeria@actionaid.org on or before 12th September 2025.  

Applications should be titled: 

Consultancy – Development of the National Strategy on Agroecology in Nigeria 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.