Experts in Nigeria’s agricultural sector have begun the development of a specialised agricultural curriculum aimed at strengthening the Business Development Services (BDS) ecosystem and boosting food security across the country.
The initiative, under the Agra Ecosystem Development Programme, brought together stakeholders from across the six geopolitical zones to design a sector-specific curriculum for Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) who will support agricultural small and medium enterprises (ag-SMEs).
Speaking at the workshop in Kaduna, the Rector of Kaduna Business School, Dr. Dahiru Sani, described the gathering as a structured curriculum development process rather than a conventional training.
According to him, the objective is to identify the competencies required to produce experts who can translate agricultural production into viable business ventures.
“We are not conducting a training. This is a DECU process, developing a curriculum using global standards. We are designing professionals who can convert agricultural efforts into real business value”.
Sani who is also project director for AGRA Ecosystem explained that participants included practitioners from major value chains such as rice, ginger, sorghum and cocoa, as well as experts in climate science, entrepreneurship, soil management, livestock production and academia.
He noted that while agriculture has received various forms of intervention in the past, little attention has been given to building a strong middle layer of business support professionals.
“Agriculture without a business outlook will go nowhere. If we give agriculture a business face, young people will begin to see opportunities in it. What we are doing is creating that middle layer of experts who can guide farmers and agribusinesses through market access, export processes, foreign exchange management and financial systems”.
He disclosed that the programme targets between 20,000 and 30,000 BDSP professionals who will be deployed across agricultural value chains nationwide.
Sani added that the initiative aims to facilitate the creation of about 100,000 agricultural businesses by strengthening enterprise capacity and leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“If we do not act strategically, Nigeria risks becoming a dumping ground, even within Africa. We must move from consumption to production and competitiveness”.
Also speaking, Officer at Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Godswill Aguiyi said the curriculum was conceived to address critical gaps in existing BDSP training, which he described as too general and not tailored to the peculiar dynamics of agriculture.
“The agricultural sector has its own realities price volatility, climate change, policy shifts and limited access to finance. A generic curriculum cannot adequately prepare BDSPs to respond to these challenges”.
He identified poor record-keeping, lack of formal business structures, absence of bank accounts and inadequate documentation as major barriers preventing many agricultural SMEs from accessing finance.
According to him, equipping BDSPs with sector-specific knowledge will enable them to guide farmers toward better organization, improved productivity, reduced post-harvest losses and stronger market positioning.
He expressed optimism that improving efficiency and effectiveness within agricultural enterprises would have a broad impact on the economy, given the large percentage of Nigerians engaged in farming and related activities.
…says ‘Back to the Farm’ initiative will tame inflation, cut FX on imports
Nigeria has unveiled a sweeping macro-strategy that places food security at the heart of national stability, inflation control, and regional cohesion, with Vice President Kashim Shettima declaring that the country no longer views the issue through a narrow agricultural lens.
Speaking at a high-level panel, “When Food Becomes Security,” at the Congress Centre during the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Vice President Shettima said the Federal Government has begun a multi-dimensional agricultural drive, designed to insulate Nigeria from global shocks while restoring productivity across its food-basket regions.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “In Nigeria, we don’t look at food security purely as an agricultural issue. It is a macroeconomic, security, and governance issue. Our focus is to use food security as a pillar for national security, regional cohesion, and stability.”
He explained that Nigeria’s food security strategy rests on three pillars: increased food production, environmental sustainability, and deeper regional integration within West Africa.
According to him, changing global trends and supply-chain disruptions have compelled the country to rebuild resilient food systems tailored to diverse ecological zones.
“Nigeria is a very large country, and there is an incestuous relationship between economy and ecology. In the Sahelian North, we are dealing with desertification, deforestation, and drought. In the riverine South and parts of the North Central, flooding is our major challenge,” he noted.
To confront these realities, the Vice President said the government is promoting drought-resistant, flood-tolerant and early-maturing varieties of staples such as rice, sorghum and millet, while redesigning food systems in flood-prone southern regions to withstand climate shocks.
Security, he added, remains a binding constraint because many conflict-affected areas double as major food-producing zones.
“Most of the food baskets of our nation are security-challenged. That is why we are creating food security corridors and strengthening community-based security engagements so farmers can return safely to their land,” he said.
Shettima disclosed the launch of the Back to the Farm Initiative, aimed at resettling displaced farmers with inputs, insurance, and access to capital to restart production.
On macroeconomic vulnerabilities, he identified import dependence and foreign-exchange volatility as key drivers of food inflation.
“We largely import wheat, sugar, and dairy products, and this has a direct impact on inflation. Our strategy is to accelerate local production and promote substitutes such as sorghum, millet, and cassava flour to correct these structural imbalances,” he said.
Positioning agriculture as a frontline response to economic and security threats, the Vice President said Nigeria’s approach aligns food security with national stability, inflation control, and regional cooperation.
He further stated that the country, dubbed “the African giant”, has “woken up from its slumber” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that within 12 months the government would make “it possible for smallholders and fishers to become investable at scale.”
Highlighting continental dynamics, Shettima said intra-African trade has “almost become a necessity,” adding that “there have been some alignments.”
He urged African leaders to intensify cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area, expressing optimism that ongoing Renewed Hope Agenda reforms would soon translate into climate adaptation moving from pilot to reality, and a boom in intra-African trade far beyond 10.7 per cent.
The several federal and sub-national governments policy drive will be a major determinant in the direction the agriculture sector moves this year. It will also to a large extent, determine the stability of food prices or otherwise in the market. This is why analysts submit that the agricultural sector enters 2026 facing a defining moment, where the promise of recovery confronts the weight of climate shocks, insecurity and rising input costs. The year ahead will test whether policy reforms, state-led investments and private capital can translate resilience into lasting food security, DANIEL ESSIET writes.
The agricultural sector enters 2026 at a decisive crossroads, balancing cautious optimism with deep structural risks that will ultimately determine whether food security improves or deteriorates. After years of shocks from climate volatility, insecurity and rising production costs, agriculture is projected to remain a central pillar of economic stability. Yet pressure is intensifying on policymakers to translate ambition into measurable, market-visible outcomes.
The sector has continued to demonstrate resilience, averaging about five per cent annual growth between 2017 and 2023 despite mounting headwinds. Analysts say this underlying strength explains why the Federal Government remains confident that output gains recorded in recent seasons can be sustained this year.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has repeatedly argued that official survey data point to “encouraging growth in major staples,” citing improvements in rice, maize and climate-resilient wheat cultivation. According to him, these gains are expected to moderate food prices and ease inflationary pressure on households.
That optimism, however, is sharply contested by independent market forecasts. Commodity analysts warn that Nigeria may still experience severe price volatility through 2026 if structural constraints persist. Market projections highlight elevated risks in maize, rice, sorghum and soybeans, driven by rising logistics costs, insecurity in food-producing belts and sustained increases in fertiliser and agrochemical prices. The divergence between official forecasts and market outlooks underscores what experts describe as a widening “credibility gap” between production statistics and real market behaviour.
Climate change remains the single most destabilising variable in the outlook for 2026. Recent agricultural performance surveys reveal that between 17 and 18 states are now exposed annually to destructive flooding, while prolonged dry spells continue to weaken crops in the North-Central and parts of the North-West. The surveys reported crop losses of up to 60 per cent in some regions, with maize, cassava, rice and yams among the worst affected. Pest infestations have compounded these losses, as Fall Army Worm outbreaks swept through 26 states, exploiting weakened crop resistance following erratic rainfall patterns.
Insecurity continues to cast a long shadow over output projections. Borno, Zamfara and Katsina alone account for tens of thousands of hectares abandoned due to insurgency and banditry, a trend analysts warn could undermine any production gains if rural security is not stabilised ahead of the 2026 planting cycles. Livestock losses have been equally severe, with up to 40 per cent of herds lost in parts of the North-West to theft, disease and displacement.
Despite these risks, state-level interventions are reshaping the sector’s medium-term outlook. Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi and parts of Borno are emerging as anchors of recovery, supported by large-scale investments in mechanisation, irrigation, certified seeds and extension services. Jigawa State, for instance, is positioning itself as a northern agricultural hub through multi-million-dollar investments in integrated agricultural parks, livestock development and agro-machinery manufacturing. Governor Umar Namadi has framed agriculture as “the backbone of society,” noting that nearly 90 per cent of the state’s population depends on the sector for livelihoods.
Kano’s Agro-Pastoral Development Project has already delivered tangible gains, with farmers reporting unprecedented access to tractors, harvesters and processing facilities. In the Middle Belt, Benue, Kogi and Taraba remain critical to national food supply, particularly for yams and cassava. Analysts caution, however, that their performance will hinge on effective flood mitigation and expanded dry-season irrigation following consecutive years of weather-induced losses. Benue State’s push into tractor assembly and dry-season farming is widely viewed as a strategic hedge against rainfall dependency.
Southern states are expected to play a growing role in value addition rather than volume expansion. Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Edo are strengthening their positions in poultry, cocoa, oil palm and agro-processing, while Lagos continues to consolidate its status as Nigeria’s food processing and logistics hub. State officials say investments in cold-chain infrastructure and digital agriculture are critical to cutting post-harvest losses and stabilising urban food supply. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said Lagos is “creating a resilient and competitive food processing sector that promises to drive economic prosperity and ensure food security in the future.”
Livestock is forecast to become one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors through 2026, following the rollout of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy. With Nigeria’s cattle population nearing 65 million and poultry exceeding 800 million birds, policymakers see ranching, feed production and animal health services as new engines of rural income. Disease management, access to finance and security, however, will determine whether this potential translates into sustained growth.
The fertiliser market
Input markets remain a major vulnerability. Global fertiliser forecasts suggest continued price volatility into 2026, with urea, phosphate and potash demand under pressure from rising costs and shifting trade policies. For Nigerian farmers, this translates into affordability challenges that could cap yield improvements unless domestic blending capacity and subsidy mechanisms are effectively deployed.
In 2021, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority signed landmark agreements with OCP of Morocco, Akwa Ibom State, NNPC, the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria for the development of a $1.5 billion plant to produce ammonia and diammonium phosphate under its Gas Industrialisation Strategy. Industry leaders and agricultural experts have since intensified calls for stronger government backing to accelerate the Akwa Ibom Fertiliser Complex, describing it as critical to food security, job creation and economic diversification.
Planned for Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State, the project is a joint venture between NSIA and OCP Africa, a subsidiary of Morocco’s OCP Group. It is designed to leverage Nigeria’s natural gas reserves alongside Morocco’s phosphate resources to produce ammonia, DAP and NPK fertilisers. Experts say the plant will reduce reliance on imports, conserve foreign exchange and help farmers access affordable, high-quality fertilisers tailored to local soil needs. About 60 to 70 per cent of the ammonia will be exported to Morocco, with the balance deployed domestically.
The Director-General of the African Centre for Supply Chain, Dr Obiora Madu, described the project as a “cornerstone” for Nigeria’s agricultural and economic transformation, noting that it represents a model for continent-wide cooperation and positions Nigeria as a regional fertiliser powerhouse. Similarly, the Director-General of the Pan-African Fertiliser Industry Association, Dr Innocent Okuku, said the complex would boost fertiliser availability, stabilise prices and raise farm yields, arguing that such investments are vital for food security and job creation.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has pledged to partner with NSIA and OCP Africa to advance the project, inaugurating a state-led team to work directly with investors. NSIA’s Managing Director, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, confirmed that the project is expected to generate about 500 direct jobs and up to 20,000 indirect jobs across construction, logistics, distribution and agro-dealer networks, adding that it forms part of a broader partnership with OCP Africa in the state.
Dangote Fertiliser has also emerged as a dominant force in Nigeria’s agricultural supply chain. The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed plans to list Dangote Fertiliser on the Nigerian Exchange this year, with the Dangote Refinery expected to follow in 2026. Speaking at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja, he forecast that Africa will soon no longer need to import fertilisers, adding that the group is on track to become the world’s largest producer of urea.
Across the continent, fertiliser manufacturing is set to rise further in 2026, with companies such as Dangote, Yara, Israel’s ICL and OCP continuing to commit billions of dollars to expansion and new production facilities. This is complemented by the growth of smaller, decentralised plants supplying cost-affordable, environmentally friendly fertilisers to smallholder farmers.
Momentum has also been reinforced at the policy level. In 2024, African heads of state endorsed the Nairobi Declaration at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, committing to improved access and affordability of certified organic and inorganic fertilisers. Analysts believe this signals a stronger commitment by member states to invest in domestic manufacturing and blending capacity, harnessing Africa’s own resources.
Powering the future of food
Beyond primary production, Lagos is increasingly positioned as a hub for food system innovation.
The state hosts several automated processes aimed at reducing food waste, cutting costs and integrating precision agriculture with food technology. Global food and beverage companies continue to expand operations in Lagos, attracted by its skilled workforce, strong logistics and proximity to major markets. Officials say ongoing projects are creating new market opportunities for local farmers while reinforcing the state’s agricultural prominence.
Ms Olusanya noted that the government stands ready to help companies navigate locations, connect with utilities and access support programmes to maximise their chances of success.
Looking ahead, Nigeria’s agricultural outlook for 2026 is neither uniformly bullish nor irreversibly bleak. It is, above all, a high-stakes transition year. If mechanisation, irrigation, extension services and security interventions align effectively, output gains could stabilise food prices and support broader economic recovery. If they do not, climate shocks, insecurity and input inflation may overwhelm policy efforts. As the Executive Director of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Prof. Emmanuel Ikani, warned while presenting recent survey findings, Nigeria urgently needs “more effective mechanisation programmes, pest control measures, affordable farm inputs, and improved early warning systems” to prevent recurring crises.
Ultimately, 2026 will test whether Nigeria can move beyond seasonal interventions toward a truly resilient, data-driven and climate-smart agricultural economy. The outcome will shape not only food availability and prices, but also the broader trajectory of growth, inflation and social stability in the years ahead.
Africa food supply chain is edging toward a dangerous tipping point, as infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rising demand. Congested ports, insufficient deep-water capacity and outdated cargo-handling systems routinely trap food shipments offshore for days, sometimes weeks, leaving importers helpless, as perishable goods deteriorate before they touch land. Most food entering the continent travel through road networks riddled with potholes, security checkpoints, and long stretches of unsafe terrain, DANIEL ESSIET reports.
Across Africa, a severe imbalance in logistics response is crushing farmers’ incomes and limiting consumers’ access to affordable food. From Mali to Ghana, Uganda to Kenya, the picture that emerges is one of a continental crisis rooted in inefficient transport and weak supply chains. Reports by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the World Bank and the African Union (AU), alongside media investigations, documented farmers confronting daily challenges that leave millions of tonnes of food unsold across major markets. In several cases, the reports revealed logistics and transportation systems unprepared for rising agricultural output.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Nigeria, where post-harvest spoilage caused by poor logistics can claim up to 40 per cent of annual food production, resulting in billions of naira in losses. The scale of the problem underscores how logistical failures are no longer isolated operational issues but structural threats to food security and economic stability.
According to the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, the consequences of these failures extend far beyond the farm gate. He explained that transportation bottlenecks, delays and spoilage significantly increase the cost of moving agricultural goods. These added costs, he noted, are inevitably passed on to consumers, making food products more expensive at retail level. Studies further showed that small-scale farmers often lose between 40 and 50 per cent of potential revenue because they lack predictable and affordable logistics that would enable direct access to markets.
This challenge is not unique to Nigeria. Across the continent, logistics costs remain disproportionately high.
Log Update Africa recently quoted the Chief Executive Officer, Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA), Agayo Ogambi, as saying that transport costs in Africa ranged from $5 to $8 per kilometre per TEU, compared to just $1 to $2 per kilometre in Asia.
He attributed these high costs to poor road conditions, extended transit times, congestion, multiple checkpoints and the absence of dedicated lanes for perishable cargo at weighbridges.
Despite being a key supplier of fresh produce and vegetables to both local and global markets, Nigeria’s competitiveness is increasingly threatened by these constraints. Farmers and traders now brace for continued logistics uncertainty, rising costs, tariff inconsistencies and anxious consumers.
Data from a U.S. International Trade Administration report, supported by the Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA), illustrated the gravity of the situation. The report estimates that Nigeria loses over 40 per cent of its food production to spoilage annually, valued at about ₦3.5 trillion. Stakeholders warn that deficiencies in logistics and transportation systems are causing significant physical and quality losses, particularly for perishable fruits, vegetables and agro-exports.
The National Secretary, National Tomato Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN), Sani Danladi, described the impact as devastating. He said the poor state of roads and the declining quality of logistics services linking tomato farms in the North to consumers in the South have resulted in massive financial losses and discouraged investment in the sector.
Danladi explained that traditional transport methods worsened the problem. “Previously, when we loaded tomatoes in baskets stacked on one another, we recorded losses of between 70 and 80 per cent in some cases. The introduction of non-collapsible plastic crates has helped reduce spoilage, but it has also introduced new challenges. While the crates protect tomatoes better, the costs associated with renting and returning them have become a major burden,” he said.
He noted that each crate holds between 20 and 22 kilogrammes of tomatoes and is the safest way to transport produce from northern farms to southern markets. “Using the crates ensures the tomatoes arrive looking as fresh as when they were harvested,” he said. However, the high purchase cost—ranging from ₦7,000 to ₦7,500 per crate—combined with a monopolised distribution system controlled by an association using colour-coding, has discouraged widespread adoption.
According to him, the registration process and risk of theft further deter potential investors.
Yet the most significant challenge, Danladi stressed, lies in the return journey. Because the crates are not collapsible, they must be transported back empty. “You may pay ₦2.5 million to carry tomatoes, but even when the truck is empty, returning the crates can cost ₦1.5 million,” he said. To reduce costs, transporters often rely on trucks carrying heavy, low-volume goods such as iron rods from Lagos to Kano to bring back empty crates. This dependency can delay returns for weeks, limiting the number of trips possible in a season and reducing profitability.
These concerns were echoed by the Executive Director, the Infrastructure Network for Africa Food Systems (INAFS), Muhammad Yakubu Bubayaro, who also heads Bunkasa Agritech Limited. He described the journey from northern farms to southern markets as fraught with obstacles, largely due to Nigeria’s deteriorating road network. “In some places, roads are so bad that drivers have to offload part of the tomatoes to lighten the truck before pushing it through muddy paths,” Bubayaro said. After crossing such sections, the produce is reloaded, increasing handling and the risk of damage.
Beyond road conditions, he noted that actors across the value chain face intense pressure to ensure tomatoes and other fresh produce arrive in good condition. Packaging methods have evolved over time, with traders in markets such as Mile 12 in Lagos abandoning raffia baskets in favour of plastic crates to meet the demands of quality-conscious buyers.
The economic impact of poor packaging, he explained, is severe. “If a truck carrying tomatoes in raffia baskets travels from the North to Lagos, more than half of the load may be lost before reaching the market. In some cases, growers lose up to 90 per cent,” he said. While plastic crates significantly reduce losses, the rental model is undermined by costly empty returns, which erode already thin profit margins.
Access to crates also remains uneven. Bubayaro noted that large associations often dominate supply, making it difficult for smallholder farmers to participate. To address this, Bunkasa Agritech has adopted a cluster-based model that provides farmers with crates, price information, market linkages and logistics support, enabling better decision-making and reducing waste.
The logistics challenge, however, extends beyond vegetables. Bubayaro confirmed that grains and other produce also suffer from inadequate transport solutions. The lack of specialised agricultural logistics companies, he said, leads to unreliable services, with drivers sometimes failing to show up for produce ready for harvest, resulting in further losses.
Despite increased food production over the past three decades, the World Bank warns that weaknesses along Africa’s food supply chains continue to drive high costs. Its report, ‘Transport for Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: Strengthening Supply Chains’ found that 37 per cent of locally produced food is lost in transit due to slow processing, poor infrastructure and non-tariff barriers.
The report argued that prioritising investments in 50 key transport hubs—covering ports, border crossings and road segments—could significantly reduce food waste and benefit the 58 per cent of Africans currently facing food insecurity. Senior Managing Director of the World Bank, Axel van Trotsenburg, said food insecurity on the continent is not only about production but about fixing broken systems that prevent food from reaching those who need it most.
The view was reinforced by the report’s lead author, Charles Kunaka, who noted that African food supply chains are four times longer than those in Europe, leading to delays, higher prices and wasted resources. He stressed that coordinated investments in transport infrastructure are essential to building a resilient food system. Cold chain deficiencies further compound the crisis.
Speaking at a Cold Chain Roundtable in Lagos, OTACCWA President, Mr Alexander Isong, said Nigeria requires at least 25,000 refrigerated trucks to achieve minimal efficiency but currently has fewer than 1,000 to service over 11 million metric tonnes of perishable goods annually. He described the situation as both a logistical and humanitarian crisis, noting that Nigeria loses more than 20 million metric tonnes of food each year to spoilage. Isong added that the country’s cold storage capacity is “next to zero,” estimating a need for at least 100 large cold rooms with 500-tonne capacity to begin reversing post-harvest losses. These shortcomings are reflected in Nigeria’s ranking of 88th on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index. High operational costs driven by poor roads, unreliable electricity and outdated port and customs systems continue to undermine efficiency.
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) estimated that inefficiencies in Nigeria’s logistics system cost the country about $8 billion annually, including $5.8 billion in corporate earnings lost by companies dependent on major ports such as Apapa, where logistics costs continue to rise steadily. These losses underscore Nigeria’s growing disadvantage in a global shipping landscape where efficiency increasingly defines competitiveness.
Across the continent, only four African container ports made Lloyd’s List Top 100 Container Ports Ranking for 2025. They include Morocco’s Tanger Med, Africa’s strongest performer, which ranked 17th globally after handling more than 10.2 million TEUs in 2024—an 18.9 per cent surge that reinforces its status as a major transshipment gateway. Egypt’s Port Said and Alexandria followed with 3.9 million TEUs and 2.2 million TEUs respectively, alongside Togo’s Lomé Port. Collectively, these ports have driven intra-regional food exports and served as the lifeblood of agricultural commerce, shaping the competitiveness of industries and entire national economies.
Analysts noted that Nigeria’s struggle with malnutrition and soaring food inflation is not driven by scarcity, but by systemic failures in moving produce from farms to markets. The country loses an estimated 40 per cent of its fruits and vegetables to spoilage due to inadequate refrigerated trucking, poor road networks, harsh weather conditions and corruption. Such post-harvest losses, common across much of the developing world, translate into lower incomes for farmers and higher prices for consumers.
According to the African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC), logistics challenges, policy inconsistency and rising production costs have severely undermined Nigeria’s export sector. While the outlook for exports shows signs of gradual improvement, the think tank maintains that the condition and performance of Nigeria’s air and seaports have failed to support exporters in strengthening their global competitiveness. These structural weaknesses continue to weigh heavily on the country’s trade ambitions.
At various fora, the ACSC has also highlighted how road congestion, pollution and rising costs are worsened by the under-utilisation of alternative transport modes such as rail, inland waterways and air freight. Although Nigeria was once a major player in freight transport, stakeholders argue that decades of infrastructure decay have limited its capacity to meet modern logistics demands. Inland waterways, in particular, remain largely untapped for food transportation despite government efforts to revive the sector.
Speaking on these challenges, ACSC Director-General, Dr Obiora Madu, said the transport and logistics sector is a critical pillar of Nigeria’s agricultural economic infrastructure.
According to him, weaknesses in the supply chain have exposed overlooked vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for a functional system capable of withstanding shocks, adapting quickly and keeping food moving in times of uncertainty.
One of the most pressing gaps, Madu noted, was the scarcity of cold-chain facilities.
He stressed the need for targeted interventions to strengthen refrigerated storage and transport networks, adding that Nigeria’s warehousing and cold-storage sectors remain in their infancy. Significant infrastructure gaps from farms to ports, he said, have contributed to massive food losses nationwide.
To compete more effectively in the global economy, analysts and industry leaders are calling for a national multimodal transport strategy that comprehensively reviews air, land and water transport systems. They argued that increased funding is also required for technology adoption to reduce dock wait times, improve efficiency, strengthen resilience and enhance security across logistics corridors.
These concerns are echoed by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), which has repeatedly warned about bottlenecks slowing the movement of goods through Nigerian ports. The council notes that cargo spends an average of 20 to 30 days before exiting terminals, compared with four to seven days at neighbouring ports—an imbalance that highlights Nigeria’s competitive disadvantage in regional trade.
Beyond prolonged dwell times, the NEPC has identified excessive documentation requirements, overlapping inspections by multiple agencies and frequent system downtimes as persistent obstacles choking export flows. Together, these inefficiencies cost the country more than $10 billion every year, weakening the prospects of Nigerian products in global markets.
In its assessments, the Produce Export Development Alliance (PEDA) has similarly observed that Nigeria’s logistics infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with growing demand. The organisation notes that the horticulture sector, valued at ₦191 billion, is experiencing a decline in international market share due largely to rising production costs and logistics challenges.
PEDA Chief Executive Officer, Adetiloye Aiyeola, said the fresh vegetables export market offers significant foreign exchange opportunities for Nigerians but has become increasingly competitive and quality-driven. “A lot of Nigerians have been involved in it,” he said. “The motivation is the fact that they can earn foreign exchange. Exportation also helps us as a country to improve domestic standards. The more we embrace export standards, the more our domestic standards improve. The promise of access to a premium market is also a major attraction.”
Despite this promise, Aiyeola believes Nigeria’s perishable exports continue to face formidable logistics hurdles, ranging from high costs and air-freight shortages to persistent cold-chain gaps. Until these structural challenges are addressed, stakeholders warned that Nigeria risks leaving vast agricultural value untapped, even as regional competitors strengthen their foothold in global food markets.
Moving forward, making progress
With Lagos’ agriculture industry continuing to expand, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Ruth Abisola Olusanya, noted that the sector urgently requires a more robust supply chain infrastructure, even as shifting trends and persistent challenges demand attention. According to her, the ability of the food system to meet growing demand now depends largely on how efficiently produce can move from farms and processing centres to markets and consumers.
She explained that delays, high haulage costs and chronic congestion contribute significantly to food losses and higher prices across the state. In response, Lagos is undergoing a major overhaul of its logistics landscape, with modern logistics hubs emerging across the state to support expanding food cultivation, trade and consumption, while also easing pressure on existing transport networks.
Building on this, the commissioner observed that a rapidly rising population, expanding food processing and manufacturing capacity, and an increasingly attractive business climate have converged to position Lagos as one of the country’s most dynamic logistics growth markets. These factors, she said, are reshaping how food is produced, moved and consumed, creating fresh opportunities for investment while underscoring the need for smarter coordination across the entire value chain.
Against this backdrop, Ms. Olusanya said the state government is exploring a wide range of solutions to strengthen food logistics, improve traceability and promote sustainability within the sector. She emphasised that addressing logistics challenges cannot be left to government alone, noting that growers, producers, logistics companies, retailers and consumers all have critical roles to play in building a resilient and efficient food supply chain for Lagos.
Progress in this direction, she added, is already visible. Construction of Phase One of the Lagos Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun in Epe is nearing completion. When operational, the facility will serve as a key distribution and processing centre for major agricultural commodities moving into and out of Lagos.
At the same time, the government is fast-tracking work on two additional mid-level agro-produce hubs expected to be completed before the end of the year—one at Abijo in Ibeju-Lekki and another at the Dairy Farm in Pen Cinema, Agege. These facilities, she noted, complement the already operational hub at Idi-Oro, Mushin, which has become a model for efficient produce aggregation and improved market access. Looking ahead, she disclosed that construction is also ongoing on new hubs at Opebi in Ikeja and Bombata on Lagos Island, with plans underway to replicate the model in Ikorodu, Lekki and Festac, further strengthening Lagos’ food logistics and distribution network. Indeed, agribusiness is thriving with innovations in food science, equipment, and supply chain driving an industry evolution.
Africa bets on logistics
From Nairobi’s flower corridors to Lagos’ ambitious food hub, Africa’s logistics sector is emerging as a decisive battleground for the continent’s food trade, competitiveness and security. Industry leaders, exporters, infrastructure developers and policymakers now agree on one point: logistics is no longer a support service but a strategic advantage that can make or break African trade. It was the heart of a recent high-level discussion on perishable logistics in East Africa, organised by Logistics Update Africa in Nairobi. The conference attracted stakeholders across the African perishable supply chain to the Kenyan capital, where stakeholders examined how weak transport links, fragmented cold chains and limited exit points continue to erode the value of Africa’s agricultural exports.
Speakers repeatedly returned to a central concern: African farmers and exporters may be producing high-quality food, but poor logistics often means it reaches global markets late, damaged, or uncompetitive.
Kenya’s horticulture exporters acknowledged that while the country performs better than some neighbours, infrastructure gaps remain severe. “We have only two main exit points that can handle fresh produce – Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the Port of Mombasa. If you are growing produce in the Rift Valley or western Kenya, you must transport it long distances. That time on the road affects quality and cost,” said Technical, Training, Standards & Compliance Officer, Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) Patrice Genga. Genga warned that even the gateways could soon be overwhelmed.
What African countries are doing to boost food logistics infrastructure
For decades, declining rail volumes, congested ports and crumbling infrastructure have constrained Africa’s economic potential, pushing up logistics costs and weakening export competitiveness. Nowhere is the strain more visible than in West Africa, where agro-industrial growth is being throttled by poor transport networks and erratic power supply, despite the food economy accounting for about 35 percent of the region’s gross domestic product.
According to the 2025 edition of Africa’s Development Dynamics, published by the OECD and the African Union Commission, logistics failures have driven local food prices 30 to 40 percent above global averages for comparable economies. Regional food demand is projected to surge from $126 billion in 2010 to $480 billion by 2030, but the report warns that inadequate transport and energy infrastructure remains a major barrier to meeting rising needs.
The absence of rural road connections continues to isolate producers from markets, resulting in high post-harvest losses, while unreliable electricity undermines the competitiveness of small food processors. This gap has entrenched a contradiction between Africa’s vast agricultural resources and its heavy reliance on food imports. Sierra Leone is cited as a stark example, with 75 percent of arable land uncultivated and 80 percent of ready-to-eat food imported.
National governments are stepping in as well.
Senegal
Senegal has launched a programme to build 100 warehouses and 20 cold rooms, expanding storage capacity by 250,000 tonnes to curb post-harvest losses estimated at CFA100 billion annually.
South Africa
In South Africa, renewed infrastructure investment in roads, rail and ports is aimed at easing congestion, restoring reliability and lowering the cost of doing business, as logistics firms such as FedEx expand technology-driven services.
Despite these efforts, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD )and African Union Commission (AUC) warned that without urgent, large-scale investment in transport and energy networks, Africa’s food systems will remain inefficient, sustaining high import dependence and elevated consumer prices even as production potential continues to grow.
Investors responding
A new chapter of connectivity is unfolding in West Africa, led by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as it embarks on ambitious railway projects aimed at bridging borders and tapping into the continent’s immense economic potential.
From the dry expanses of the Sahel to the mineral-rich hills of Guinea, these multi-billion-dollar initiatives are reshaping the region’s logistics landscape.
At the heart of this transformation is the Nigeria-Niger Kano–Maradi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Stretching 393 kilometers, this groundbreaking project marks the first cross-border rail link in West Africa in nearly seventy years. Currently under construction by Mota-Engil, the line has made significant strides toward completion by 2025, with recent updates from the government confirming it’s on schedule to reach Katsina by year’s end.
This railway is more than just a set of tracks; it’s a game-changer for economic resilience. By linking Nigeria’s industrial powerhouse in Kano to Maradi, a bustling commercial center in Niger, the project aims to streamline the movement of goods and people. Once it’s fully operational, expected by early 2027, it will connect seamlessly with Nigeria’s existing SGR network, including the Kano-Kaduna line being developed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
To the west, the AFC plays a vital role in another transformative project: the 670-kilometer Transguinean Railway. The railway serves as the backbone of the Simandou integrated mine and infrastructure development, which recently celebrated a historic milestone with the start of operations this year.
The AFC’s 2025 State of Africa’s Infrastructure report revealed that over 7,000 kilometers of new rail lines are either under construction or in the planning stages across Africa.
For instance, DHL plans to invest €300 million ($350 million) to expand logistics infrastructure across Africa, targeting warehousing, freight forwarding and last-mile delivery to support fast-growing sectors such as e-commerce and perishable goods. DHL Group Chief Executive, John Pearson, said Africa could become the world’s second-largest trade region within four years if supply-chain capacity improves.
The World Bank has also intensified support for transport and logistics projects that strengthen food supply chains. Investments in rural roads and regional corridors have reduced travel times, cut border delays and lowered food transport costs across several African countries.
Projects along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, for example, have improved port efficiency and eased cross-border trade for millions of people.
These and other initiatives are bringing renewed hope for food security across the continent.
At the Oyo 2025 Agribusiness Summit, Ibadan-based agritech firm, Afrimash, highlighted why it has become a central player in discussions on food security in Nigeria.
Leading these discussions was Afrimash Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Akinwumi Oyedotun, who gave insights on how digital tools were reshaping agriculture.
He said: “Technology is not just a convenience, but a necessity in tackling Nigeria’s toughest agricultural challenges. The future of food production will rely heavily on innovation. This is what farmers already know.”
A key moment came when Governor Seyi Makinde visited Afrimash’s stand as part of his official tour. Akinwumi walked him through the company’s suite of tools in a practical, hands-on manner.
He demonstrated how a farmer with only a basic phone can order livestock inputs, receive veterinary guidance, track deliveries via the Afrimash USSD code, or connect with trusted suppliers.
He also highlighted AVA, the Afrimash Virtual Advisor on WhatsApp, which allows farmers to send voice notes in local languages and receive instant AI-driven advice on feeding, disease control and breed selection.
The governor responded with genuine excitement, recognising the tools’ practicality, particularly for farmers in remote areas with limited access to verified information and inputs.
Across the globe, farmers—the hands that feed billions—are under unprecedented strain. With insecurity, failed harvests, and mounting debt pushing many farmers to breaking point, crushing economic pressures, unpredictable weather extremes, and the emotional toll of long, isolating hours are now fuelling a surge in mental-health distress — from escalating anxiety and depression to rising cases of suicide. From Nigeria to the UK and India, research reveals that this hidden epidemic is not only devastating rural communities but also threatening the very sustainability of global food systems, putting global food security at serious risk, reports DANIEL ESSIET
A global food system under strain
Across the world, the future of food hangs in a delicate balance. Even as farms produce more than ever before and agrifood systems continue to power economies, the people who make this possible—the farmers—are under unprecedented strain. This is one of the striking realities revealed in the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s Statistical Yearbook 2024, a publication that not only tracks global agricultural performance but also exposes the quiet emergencies threatening its sustainability.
According to the Yearbook, the value of global agricultural production has surged by 89 per cent in real terms over the past two decades, reaching $3.8 trillion in 2022. Yet this impressive growth masks troubling undercurrents. Agriculture’s contribution to global economic output has remained almost unchanged, and the sector’s workforce is shrinking rapidly—from 40 per cent of the global labour force in 2000 to just 26 per cent in 2022. This dwindling workforce, experts warn, could imperil food supplies unless agriculture becomes a more attractive, healthier and safer occupation.
The silent mental health crisis in farming communities
But the greatest threat may not be economic. Farmers worldwide are confronting a silent yet devastating mental health crisis—one that researchers say is too pressing to ignore. From crushing workloads and unpredictable weather to tightening regulations and isolation, the pressures facing farmers have created conditions ripe for anxiety, depression and burnout. The United Kingdom offers a revealing case study. A report submitted to Parliament by the University of Oxford, Mental Health Risks to Farmers in the UK, paints a stark picture of the sector’s wellbeing. It found farmers to be at significantly higher risk of mental ill-health and suicide than the general population, citing 102 suicides among agricultural workers in England and Wales in 2019 alone. Similar concerns have been recorded in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Notably, women—whose roles on farms often go unrecognised—face their own set of challenges. To address this gap, the University of Exeter has launched a national wellbeing survey specifically targeting women living and working in farming communities. Project lead Dr Rebecca Wheeler, working with the Farming Community Network, said the initiative seeks to understand not only the difficulties farmers face but also what supports their health and happiness.
Another major study by Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research, involving more than 15,000 agricultural workers, reveals the scale of the crisis. Over half reported moderate or severe pain or discomfort, 31 per cent experienced anxiety or depression, and 16 per cent had suffered a non-fatal injury in the past five years. Many also struggled with exhaustion, paperwork, financial instability, erratic weather and disease outbreaks. Wheeler described the findings as profoundly worrying, noting that today’s farming environment combines physical, emotional and financial pressures in ways that make the sector increasingly vulnerable. Without urgent reforms, she warned, the world risks losing the very people who keep its food systems alive.
According to the study, long hours, volatile markets and the isolating nature of rural life all play a role in the declining wellbeing of farmers. Many now work more than 60 hours a week, often in solitude, while battling rising production costs, uncertain subsidies and the emotional strain of caring for animals through disease outbreaks and extreme weather. Prof. Matt Lobley, co-author of the University of Exeter study, said the findings should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers. “This research provides compelling evidence of the need to understand and address both physical and mental health issues among people living and working in agriculture. A sustainable and resilient food system requires a healthy agricultural workforce able to maintain and improve production without detriment to themselves and their families,” he said.
As farmers navigate the pressures of a rapidly changing industry—from climate shocks to shifting environmental policies—experts argue that proactive support cannot be delayed. Recommendations include improved data collection, better rural healthcare services, mental-health first-aid training and closer government collaboration with trusted community networks. Without such interventions, they warn, farmer wellbeing will continue to worsen, posing long-term risks to the sustainability of the UK’s entire food production system.
A deepening crisis across the global south
Similar concerns are emerging across developing countries, where falling productivity is becoming increasingly apparent. Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University found that farmers are struggling to keep pace with global demand. Their analysis shows that growth in farm productivity—measured through total factor productivity—is far below the levels required to maintain adequate global food supplies. In many developed nations, farm yields have even plateaued.
In the UK, the Farm Safety Foundation found that 91 per cent of British farmers consider poor mental health the “biggest hidden problem” in the industry. A survey of 754 farmers in September 2024 revealed declining mental wellbeing across the sector. The study also showed that farmers worked even longer hours in 2024 than in 2023—far above the averages in other industries. The charity highlighted agriculture’s grim safety record, citing Office for National Statistics data showing 44 suicides among agricultural workers in England and Wales in 2022. Dr. Stephanie Berkeley of the Foundation noted: “Farming has always been one of the most demanding industries, but the added strain of long hours, rural isolation and financial insecurity is putting farmers at risk.”
The situation is equally dire in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), at least one person working in the farm sector died by suicide every hour in 2023—a stark indicator of the economic stress gripping rural communities. Maharashtra accounted for the highest proportion of victims (38.5 per cent), followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu—regions once known for agricultural abundance but now marked by despair. Although the total number of suicides fell slightly compared with 2022, the scale of the crisis remained severe. In 2023, 10,786 people in the farm sector died by suicide, representing 6.3 per cent of all suicide cases nationwide. Of these, 43 per cent were farmers, while the rest were farm labourers. Nigeria’s farmers face many of the same pressures. Rising stress is linked to unpredictable weather, fluctuating crop yields, loan repayment burdens and volatile market conditions. The Nation learnt that many farmers are experiencing declining quality of life and growing difficulty meeting family obligations.
According to the Chief Executive of Cato Foods, Pelumi Aribisala, the mental health crisis among farmers is a complex and worsening problem. He explained that crop failures, inflation, rising input costs, the effects of climate change and outbreaks such as avian flu have trapped many farmers in cycles of debt and uncertainty. These pressures, he said, are driving growing rates of depression and anxiety among farmers. Aribisala stressed that this silent crisis demands urgent attention and called for systemic support—especially access to affordable land, capital, climate adaptation resources and health insurance—to protect farmers and secure the future of food production.
At the core of the mental health crisis gripping farmers is a deep and growing sense of economic uncertainty—one that leaves many feeling trapped, isolated and overwhelmed. Agricultural expert Pelumi Aribisala captured this reality through recent events in the cassava sector. “Take this year, for instance,” he said. “Many people invested heavily in cassava last year, only to lose everything this year—really lose everything.” The contrast is staggering: what delivered a 125 per cent profit margin the previous year has now swung to losses of more than 300 percent. “It means all the investment, including last year’s profits, has just disappeared,” he added. As a result, farmers are unable to manage their workforce or pay labour costs, plunging many into distress.
Aribisala stressed that such economic shocks carry serious mental health implications. “When we talk about mental health, we’re talking about emotions, psychology and a whole range of interconnected factors. These pressures can lead to depression and other significant issues,” he noted. He recounted troubling cases from the livestock sector, especially in poultry and piggery. “A few years back at Oke-Aro Farm Settlement, many farmers lost their pig farms. Some ended up in the hospital, and tragically, some did not survive. More recently, a farmer developed a partial stroke after losing everything to infections,” he said.
Compounding these stresses is a crippling lack of affordable financing. Aribisala revealed that many farmers secure loans at interest rates as high as 30 to 50 per cent. For those unable to access formal credit, the situation is even worse: “Some are borrowing from loan sharks at monthly interest rates of 4.5, 6 or even 12 per cent. When you do the math, that can amount to nearly 60 per cent annually.” Such financial traps push farmers into cycles of debt and despair.
He emphasised that farmers, too often romanticised as resilient by default, are ordinary people facing extraordinary pressures. “Farmers are people too; they aren’t superheroes,” he said. While suicide statistics from India are stark and well documented, Aribisala noted that similar incidents occur in Nigeria—cases that seldom make it into official reports. Beyond economic pressures, farmers grapple with taxes, physical risks and the sheer unpredictability of their work.
Since 2019, concerns have grown over how COVID-19 lockdowns worsened farmers’ mental health. A joint study by researchers from Ilorin and Federal University Oye-Ekiti found that farmers reported elevated stress, headaches, anxiety and depression during the pandemic. With insecurity, climate shocks, failed harvests and mounting debt, many Nigerian farmers are now operating at breaking point.
Protecting farmers, securing the future
For Kolawole Adeniji, Chief Executive of Niji Farms—one of Nigeria’s largest cassava operations spanning 7,000 acres—the pressures are relentless. He must constantly make high-stakes decisions while facing insecurity, erratic weather, rising costs and volatile markets. Kidnapping fears for farm workers add another layer of distress. “Many farmers are grappling with serious mental health issues, teetering on the brink of losing both their businesses and their hope,” he warned. Adeniji said the signs of psychological strain are visible: changes in routine, reduced care for crops and livestock, rising accidents and deteriorating farm conditions. Severe depression and anxiety often stem from factors outside farmers’ control—crop failures caused by weather extremes, sudden policy shifts and the influx of cheaper imports. These financial blows, he noted, are directly tied to worsening mental health.
For Babatunde Olarewaju, Lead Strategist at FutuX Agri-consult, the crisis is especially pronounced in rural communities, where mental illness frequently goes undiagnosed. “The mental pain often shows up as physical illness. People say, ‘He has malaria,’ but it’s actually depression,” he explained. The consequences can be fatal. “Some even suffer strokes from the shock. I’ve also come across cases of suicide—people hanging themselves when they feel utterly hopeless.”
While farming can be deeply fulfilling, the pressures and risks are immense. Stakeholders agree that this escalating mental health crisis is not merely individual—it is systemic, rooted in economic instability and policy failures. They are calling for comprehensive reforms: stronger economic safety nets, improved rural infrastructure, support for climate resilience, and firm action against insecurity. Without these interventions, the wellbeing of farmers—and the sustainability of the food system they support—remains in peril.
Farmer Samson Ogbole, who runs the innovative Soilless Farm in Ogun State, is one of Nigeria’s leading voices in hydroponics—a farming technique that allows crops to thrive in nutrient-rich water rather than soil. Despite being a pioneer in high-tech agriculture, Ogbole has not been immune to burnout. Years of working in emotionally demanding situations—combined with the pressure of proving that technology can transform food production—have taken a toll. He continues to advocate for the adoption of science and technology in agriculture, urging Nigerians to replicate natural conditions in controlled environments to boost yields, accelerate production, and reduce labour. Yet he has watched promising agri-tech startups collapse under crushing debt, unable to manage the steep financial and operational demands of modern farming.
Every day, Ogbole confronts challenges ranging from unstable market prices and production deadlines to erratic weather, disease outbreaks, physical stress, and the relentless ticking of the agricultural calendar. To support both seasoned farmers and newcomers, he has expanded his mentorship programmes. More recently, he has trained staff to recognise signs of stress, anxiety, and depression in farmers and link them to qualified mental health professionals. His organisation also hosted a forum dedicated to helping farmers recognise early signs of poor mental health, maintain emotional well-being, and seek help when needed. The Soilless Farm Lab designed the event to create a safe space where trainees, farmers, and their families could openly discuss their struggles. “A healthy mind is just as crucial as a healthy body, especially for those who nourish our nation,” Ogbole said. “For too long, farming challenges have been viewed only through the lens of yield and profit. Mental health is the hidden crop that requires our attention.”
He noted that the lab is committed to long-term change. “We’ve woven mental health awareness into our regular training sessions. It’s now part of agricultural education, not a one-off event.” Citing an alarming Nigerian Bureau of Statistics study showing that over 50 per cent of youths experience mental health challenges while less than 10 per cent seek help—largely due to stigma and inadequate resources—he urged farmers to break the silence. “We encourage everyone in our community to prioritise mental health and seek help without hesitation. By fostering these conversations, we hope to build a culture of resilience.”
Recently, the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, called on policymakers and religious leaders to strengthen the implementation of Nigeria’s livestock policy to promote peace, security, and national unity. Speaking in Abuja at the Second Quarter Policy Review Dialogue, themed From Policy to Practice, he highlighted the central role the livestock sector plays in the country’s conflict dynamics. He described the farmer-herder clashes as a “complex risk system” shaped by climate pressures, demographic changes, weak regulations, governance gaps, and cross-border movements—factors that demand a coordinated and data-driven response. Ochogwu urged improved coordination at all levels of governance, conflict-sensitive implementation strategies, inclusive stakeholder participation, and real-time mon itoring using data on conflict hotspots and pastoralist movement.
As global temperatures rise, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) warns that more workers will face heat stress, urging proactive measures such as planning with forecasts and early warning systems. Its report, Heat at Work, estimates that stronger safety measures could save up to $361 billion worldwide and reveals that heat stress causes nearly 19,000 deaths annually while exposing over 70 per cent of the global workforce to dangerous conditions.
Climate-related pressures are also fuelling mental health crises abroad. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently reported rising anxiety and stress among British farmers due to more intense flooding and droughts. Senior scientist Dan Blake noted that declining farmer confidence is tied to worsening extreme weather, compounded by financial strain, policy uncertainty, and social isolation. A separate report by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that climate anxiety is now “almost universal” among British farmers, with nearly all linking their distress to erratic weather and poor harvests—symptoms of a farming sector struggling under the weight of climate change.
Sir: The agricultural sector is, without doubt, the bedrock of our economy and the guarantor of our national food security. Yet, for years, this vital sector has been left to contend with monumental security and systemic challenges almost entirely alone. This reactive stance has transformed what should be manageable local conflicts into an existential threat to production.
The crisis is most acute during the crucial window between crop maturity and harvest. Our dedicated farmers are being forced into desperate, life-or-death battles for their livelihood, leading to catastrophic losses in production. The cost of this insecurity is not just measured in monetary figures; it is measured in the sleepless nights, profound fear, and loss of life endured by those who feed the nation.
The current environment, where security challenges are allowed to fester and multiply, demonstrates a failure to implement a proactive security paradigm. Farmers should be focused on maximizing yield, not guarding against death during the final, most vulnerable period of the agricultural cycle.
To move beyond this costly cycle of loss and reaction, we need not merely marginal, tactical efforts, but a fundamental shift in national policy. The government has a non-negotiable role in establishing enduring peaceful agricultural communities and secure corridors.
The pivot required is twofold:
Holistic security paradigm: Security is not solely a military concern; it is an economic imperative. The federal government must deploy resources to actively foster secure agricultural zones (or “colonies”) where infrastructure, intelligence, and a visible state presence are permanent features, not temporary fixes.
Increased stakeholder participation: To make security durable and sustainable, we must move beyond top-down mandates and embrace increased participation. This means integrating local communities, traditional institutions, and private sector agri-businesses into the security architecture. This approach creates a system of decentralized vigilance and shared responsibility, making conflict foreseeable, preventable, and stoppable before it reaches the harvest.
By formalizing the protection of this sector and increasing communal and institutional participation, we secure not only the harvest but also the future growth and stability of our nation. This integrated strategy of economic investment and security enablement is the roadmap to transforming our agricultural crisis into an economic catalyst.
Govt officials, stakeholders renew commitment at 47th Agric Council meeting
The Federal Government and the 36 states have renewed their commitment to strengthening the nation’s food systems.
The two tiers of government restated their food security commitment at the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS) in Kaduna organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).
The five-day policy meeting, with the theme: Food Sovereignty and Food Security in an Era of Renewed Hope, brought together commissioners of agriculture, development partners, private sector players and experts who reviewed policies and chart fresh strategies for agricultural transformation.
Declaring the technical session open, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the council as the engine room for shaping the future of Nigeria’s agriculture through inclusive and evidence-based recommendations.
He said the session transcended an ordinary meeting but “a family gathering of minds and hearts committed to ensuring that agriculture continues to drive inclusive growth, stability and hope across the nation”.
Ogunbiyi urged participants to approach the deliberations with openness and optimism, stressing that every decision taken at the council would ultimately impact millions of lives.
The permanent secretary said the technical session would examine memoranda from federal and state institutions, development partners and the private sector to produce resolutions that would guide the ministerial session later in the week.
“This process ensures that our recommendations are inclusive, well-informed and grounded in the realities of our diverse agricultural landscape,” he noted. “The theme of this year’s Council is both a call to action and a shared vision to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce the food we consume, reduce external dependence, and guarantee that every household has reliable access to safe and nutritious food.”
Ogunbiyi applauded the contributions of development partners, such as the FAO, IFAD, WFP, AfDB, World Bank, USAID, and IFPRI for their technical and financial support toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 2 – Zero Hunger.
He advised delegates to share innovations on climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development and digital transformation from their respective states.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Mohammed Dabo, said hosting the 47th NCAFS was a dream fulfilled for Kaduna, which successfully bid to host the event at last year’s Council in Calabar, the Cross River State.
The commissioner said Kaduna was honoured to serve as a platform for dialogue on a sector that remains vital to Nigeria’s unity, livelihood and progress. “Our state is one where agriculture is both a heritage and a livelihood, from the maize fields of Giwa to the ginger plains of Kachia and the soybean belts of Soba. Our story is one of resilience and productivity,” he said.
Dabo praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for placing agriculture at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a policy direction that repositions the sector as a driver of economic opportunity, peace and prosperity.
The commissioner also praised Governor Uba Sani for prioritising farmers’ empowerment and agribusiness development as central to Kaduna’s economic recovery plan.
He urged delegates to approach the deliberations with collaboration and shared responsibility, saying the future of Nigeria’s agriculture depends not only on sound policies but also on unity of purpose among stakeholders.
Debo expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for reposing confidence in Kaduna to host the national dialogue and assured participants of a comfortable and fruitful stay in the state.
Deliberations at the council are expected to focus on agricultural financing, mechanisation, extension reforms, value chain development and climate resilience.
The outcomes from the technical session will form the basis for resolutions to be adopted during the ministerial session later in the week.
The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday endorsed many initiatives to enhance food productivity and security as part of concerted efforts to further reduce food prices.
At the 152nd meeting held at the State House, Abuja, NEC endorsed mass production and rollout of solar-powered irrigation pumps, flood prevention and mitigation framework and reduction of energy costs and other agricultural inputs.
The decision came on the heels of sustained decline in inflationary pressure, with the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report showing faster deceleration of headline inflation rate from 21.88 per cent in July to 20.12 per cent in August, a drop of 176 basis point. It was the fifth consecutive decline.
The NEC, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the solar-powered irrigation pumps produced by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as a revolutionary step towards ensuring food security in Nigeria.
The meeting resolved to seek President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the mass production and distribution of the pumps ahead of the 2025 dry season farming.
The NASENI solar pump, designed to replace petrol-powered systems, is expected to boost agricultural productivity, reduce operational costs for farmers, increase incomes, and improve livelihoods.
The Council further mandated the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, to work out funding modalities to enable NASENI scale up production on time.
Shettima hailed the breakthrough as proof that Nigerian ingenuity can compete globally.
He said: “NASENI’s scaled-up solar irrigation pumps are ready for national rollout ahead of the 2025 dry season. These pumps replace expensive petrol-powered systems, lower farmers’ costs, expand dry-season cultivation, and even provide backup power for households.
“Their advanced features, including GPS tracking, mobile app dashboards, usage monitoring, and pay-as-you-go integration, prove that Nigerian ingenuity can compete with the world”.
He added that beyond food security, the technology would unlock carbon credit opportunities for farmers.
Shettima also highlighted ongoing government initiatives to boos food security, including the insurance of 250,000 farmers across eight states, progress on the 30 per cent Value Addition Bill, the N250 billion Bank of Agriculture facility, the repositioning of the Green Imperative Project with Brazil, and the World Bank-backed AGROW programme.
National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, presented Nigeria’s Anticipatory Action Framework for riverine flooding.
According to him, the plan prioritises early warning systems, multipurpose cash assistance of N24 billion, evacuation sites, and community resilience measures in 13 high-risk states.
He explained that the framework emphasises equity, timely interventions, and institutionalised preparedness across ministries and agencies.
The Council commended the initiative as visionary and directed the NSA to expand its scope to cover more states for ratification at the next meeting.
In another presentation, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State drew attention to the impact of high energy costs and input prices on food production.
He recommended a review of fertilizer pricing policies and provision of smaller farming implements for smallholder farmers.
The Council resolved to address the challenges head-on and directed the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) to engage with industry stakeholders on lowering domestic gas costs and report back at its next sitting.
The Council also recalled President Tinubu’s earlier directive for NASENI to produce up to 100,000 irrigation pumps for nationwide distribution, reaffirming its commitment to reducing farmers’ energy costs and strengthening food security.
The meeting also received updates on Nigeria’s economic outlook from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) ahead of its 31st annual summit.
The NESG presentation noted global risks such as uneven growth, rising geopolitical tensions, and climate change pressures, stressing the need for structural reforms in Nigeria.
The report identified energy and transport bottlenecks, foreign exchange liquidity crises, and political risks as major challenges.
It urged Nigeria to embrace industrialisation, infrastructure investment, and subnational competitiveness to drive growth.
The Council resolved to participate actively in the summit to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
On account balances as of September 17, 2025, the Council was informed that the Excess Crude Account stood at $535,823.39, the Stabilization Account at N83.49 billion, and the Natural Resources Account at N125.82 billion.
The Federal Government yesterday unveiled new incentives aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast food production potential and strengthening the nation’s agricultural value chain.
The measures include single-window platforms land registration, land scalling mechanisation, and reinvigorated credit systems in aid of farmers.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the incentives would boost investment in the sector and ensure food security in the country.
He spoke on government’s commitment to agricultural development at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) National and Subregional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Abuja.
The vice president said the initiatives were also designed to expand irrigation, strengthen credit access, and create millions of rural jobs in fulfilment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.
He said while hunger is a global security issue, Nigeria must mobilise its strengths to secure a future of abundance.
Shettima said: “Nothing unifies humanity as much as hunger. It is the great equaliser that reveals our vulnerabilities and the shared fragility of our existence. Food is not merely a matter of survival; it is a matter of global security.
“We must facilitate access to land and resources for serious investors. We must drive mechanisation to reduce drudgery and enhance productivity. We must strengthen the agricultural credit system to ensure capital flows to where it is needed most.”
Shettima observed that irrigation is a game-changer, noting that Nigeria has river basins and aquifers capable of irrigating over three million hectares but currently uses less than ten per cent of its capacity.
He said in a statement by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha, that “strategic investment in irrigation alone could triple yields, free us from seasonal dependency, and fortify our resilience against climate shocks”.
The Vice President also assured investors that policies are being re-engineered to attract capital through regulatory reforms, public-private partnerships, and agri-tech innovation.
He added: “Nigeria is open for business, and we are ready to partner with you. Let us work hand-in-hand to build a Nigeria and a subregion where no one goes to bed hungry, where rural communities are hubs of wealth creation, and where agriculture is the true foundation of our prosperity.”
Shettima said the country is open for business and ready to partner with relevant stakeholders and investors in implementing its national blueprint targeted at creating 21 million full-time jobs in rural and agrarian communities, while securing national food and nutrition sufficiency.
He stressed: “The vehicle to this future is the quality of policies we have chosen to prioritise. At the top of these interventions stands our National Development Plan (2021–2025), which has set forth ambitious but achievable targets.
“This blueprint seeks to lift 35 million Nigerians out of poverty, create 21 million full-time jobs in rural and agrarian communities, and secure national food and nutrition sufficiency through deliberate and strategic investments in agriculture.”
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, spoke on Nigeria’s investment atmosphere and country profile, highlighting key challenges and potentials for investment across the agribusiness value chain.
He said Nigeria’s domestic market, large arable land, clement weather and fast growing digital economy, present unique opportunities for investment across the agribusiness ecosystem.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, said the economic potential of Nigeria remains largely untapped, especially in agriculture and irrigation, which hold significant promise for economic diversification and transformation.
He said agribusiness is an important component of national development plan in the medium and long term, as well as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security of The Gambia, Dr Demba Sabally, commended the FAO for hosting the event and Nigeria’s leadership in agriculture.
Highlighting the country’s success stories in the rice and cassava value chains, he said they are worthy of emulation by countries in the sub-region and beyond.
Sabally emphasised the need for peer review among countries in the West African sub-region because of their common challenges and opportunities for growth and transformation.
The representative of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Hussein Gadain, said the Hand-in-Hand Initiative is FAO’s “evidence-based, country-led, and country-owned flagship programme, designed to accelerate agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development.”
He said the programme is squarely aimed at eradicating poverty, ending hunger and malnutrition, and reducing inequalities.
The minister also said it is a collective vehicle for achieving the SDGs.
Describing Nigeria’s clear agricultural development priorities as catalysts for transformative and sustainable growth within Africa’s agri-food systems, Dr Gadain hailed Shettima’s genuine commitment and visionary leadership in transforming the agri-food systems.
He said Shettima’s passion for agriculture, food security, and nutrition is unmatched, adding that he has been a driving force in attracting crucial investments and fostering innovation
The Head of the EU Delegation in Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, said the Hand-in-Hand Initiative reflected Nigeria’s strong commitment to strengthening food security and deepening investment across the agribusiness value chain.
He said the EU is Nigeria’s long term partner in Nigeria’s agricultural journey, adding that it is committed to investing in value chain development in the country, starting with the recent investment of over 80 million euros to unlock opportunities in key value chains across 7 states.
He also said the EU would deepen collaboration with Nigeria to ensure that irrigation becomes a pathway for economic growth and agricultural transformation.
