Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the federal government’s dedication to tackling Nigeria’s food security crisis, unveiling a $4.3 billion investment aimed at revamping the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the Strategic Workshop on Agriculture and Food Security, organized by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja, Aliyu Modibbo Umar, a former FCT Minister, delivered Shettima’s speech, emphasizing that agriculture remains a top priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Key Government Initiatives
Shettima highlighted several policy interventions, including:
✅ Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) – Established in July 2024 to harmonize agricultural policies and drive investments.
✅ Green Imperative Project – Facilitating policy alignment and attracting critical funding, including a $4.3 billion MoU signed in Brazil at the G20 Summit.
He also encouraged private sector investment in:
🔹 Hybrid seed production
🔹 Fertilizer manufacturing
🔹 Agribusiness financing
“Agriculture is Nigeria’s golden egg, and the opportunities in production, processing, and distribution are immense,” Shettima stated.
Challenges Hindering Food Security
Despite these ambitious plans, experts at the event expressed concerns over key obstacles to food production in Nigeria.
🔴 Insecurity: Farmers in conflict-prone areas abandon their farms due to fear of attacks.
🔴 Pest Infestation: Poor pest control measures impact crop yields.
🔴 Resistance to Innovation: Rural farmers are reluctant to adopt modern agricultural techniques, including genetically modified seedlings.
According to Uchenna Ogbonna, Executive Director of the Ernest Shonekan Centre for Economic Development at NESG, these factors significantly threaten Nigeria’s food security efforts.
“Insecurity is a major challenge. Many farmers abandon their fields for fear of attacks,” Ogbonna stated.
Transport Bottlenecks and Economic Impact
🚛 Poor infrastructure and high logistics costs make food transportation difficult, leading to:
❌ Post-harvest losses
❌ Rising food prices
While experts believe solving these challenges could boost GDP, Ogbonna stressed that real economic gains will only be measurable once government interventions yield tangible results.
“The impact will depend on how serious we take this state of emergency. Without real action, we cannot quantify the economic gains,” he noted.
Climate Change and the Future of Agriculture
Recognizing climate challenges, Shettima emphasized climate-smart agricultural practices to tackle:
🌍 Rising temperatures
☔ Erratic rainfall
🏜️ Desertification
“Our interventions must be dynamic and adaptable. The government is committed to deploying modern technologies that optimize yields, reduce waste, and improve productivity across the value chain,” he said.
As Nigeria battles food insecurity, stakeholders agree that strategic partnerships between the government and private sector will be key to unlocking the country’s agricultural potential and ensuring a sustainable food system.
