FAO Director-General meets Nigeria’s livestock Minister to advance sector reforms

NIGERIA – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu has held talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar, to discuss key reforms aimed at modernizing and expanding Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The bilateral meeting centered on creating stronger institutions, improving animal health and productivity, and developing sustainable value chains that can withstand the effects of climate change.

Both officials reaffirmed the commitment between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Nigerian government to strengthen cooperation that supports food security, employment opportunities, and economic growth.

The discussions come just weeks before FAO inaugurates its new Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (FAO MuNe) in Rome on October 16, 2025, an event that coincides with World Food Day and the Organization’s 80th anniversary.

The museum, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will be officially opened by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu alongside Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

A New Cultural and Learning Hub in Rome

Situated near the historic Circus Maximus and Colosseum, FAO MuNe is designed to serve as a center for cultural exchange, education, and innovation in the fields of food and agriculture.

The new facility also incorporates the historic David Lubin Memorial Library, reflecting FAO’s long-standing focus on preserving agricultural knowledge and promoting global food system development.

Covering 1,300 square meters across 12 themed rooms, the museum takes visitors through eight decades of FAO’s work using archival materials, rare photographs, and historical documents that trace the evolution of food systems worldwide.

The exhibits blend science, art, and history to present food and agriculture as integral parts of shared human heritage.

Art, Culture, and the Future of Food

At the core of FAO MuNe is an international art collection featuring more than 60 works contributed by about 40 FAO Member States, each piece representing the landscapes and traditions of its home country.

Among the featured works are Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Cultivating the Third Paradise,” which explores the balance between technology, society, and nature, and Pablo Atchugarry’s “Peace with Nature,” a sculpture built around a century-old olive tree symbolizing humanity’s harmony with the environment.

The museum also houses the FoodS Lab, a fully equipped global kitchen designed for culinary demonstrations, workshops, and expert discussions that explore food innovation and sustainability.

Visitors will have access to interactive digital tools that allow them to engage with themes such as future farming and nutrition, reinforcing FAO’s role in promoting learning and participation across generations.

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