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Tag: Food security

  • Fed Govt: desertification threatens food security, livelihoods

    Fed Govt: desertification threatens food security, livelihoods

    Federal Government has decried the spread of desertification in large swathes in the North, warning that the crisis poses severe risks to food security, livelihoods, and the environment.

    Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said between 50 and 75 per cent of the landmass in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara States is impacted by desert-like conditions.

    He described the situation as the most pressing environmental challenge confronting Nigeria’s dryland regions.

    Lawal spoke in Abuja at a workshop to review the National Policy on Drought and Desertification. The event was supported by World Bank through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project.

    Represented by Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Kambari, the minister noted that the affected states cover about 38 per cent of Nigeria’s land area and host nearly 27 million people.

    “These regions are at risk of poverty, food insecurity, and forced migration due to harsh and worsening environmental conditions,” he warned.

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates NCGC board, says new firm will unlock MSME financing

    He noted the critical role of the drylands in the economy.

    “The dryland region supports over 90 percent of Nigeria’s cattle, two-thirds of sheep and goats, and almost all donkeys, camels, and horses. It also plays a vital role in agricultural production and export. But these areas have been impoverished by drought and desert-like conditions.”

    The minister noted that land degradation is accelerating at an alarming rate. Between 2000 and 2010, Nigeria lost over 463,000 hectares of forestland, much of it converted into cropland, shrubs, and grasslands. In addition, more than 360,000 hectares have experienced declining productivity, with more areas showing early signs of deterioration.

    Lawal identified unsustainable land-use practice, agricultural expansion, deforestation, mining, urbanisation, and climate change as main drivers of desertification and drought. He emphasised the need for a holistic approach that incorporates the perspectives of affected communities and stakeholders across sectors.

    He lamented the limited impact of the National Policy on Drought and Desertification, which was formulated in 2007.

    “The 17-year-old document requires review to address gaps and integrate sustainable development principles, such as gender equity, precautionary measures, and intergenerational justice,” he said.

    Participants were urged to examine the outdated policy and contribute to developing a framework that is robust, participatory, and capable of reversing land degradation.

    Furthermore, the minister hailed World Bank and ACReSAL for their support and urged stronger inter-sectoral collaboration to ensure the new policy aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategies on agriculture, mining, urban development, and climate change.

    In his remarks, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar, stressed that drought has become a recurring challenge requiring decisive policy action.

    He noted that the project is being co-implemented by the Federal Ministries of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Environment, in collaboration with 19 northern states.

    Umar called for the development of a comprehensive policy document to support integrated landscape management and enhance climate resilience.

  • ‘Rural-urban migration threatening food security’

    ‘Rural-urban migration threatening food security’

    Nigeria’s food security faces threat as younger generations increasingly turn away from farming, leaving the nation’s agricultural sector in the hands of an aging workforce and creating critical labour shortages. This demographic shift could severely impact national food production for years to come.

    According to a GLOBAL G.A.P Register trainer and Food Safety Standards Lead Auditor, Talabi Olufolajimi, the connection between rural populations and food security in Nigeria is “undeniable.” He observed that as rural residents seek safer environments, better wages, and improved living conditions, “those who remain are predominantly within the upper age range of life expectancy.”

    Olufolajimi warned that this stark demographic trend is already “impacting food supply and is likely to continue doing so in the coming years.”

    He emphasised that the fundamental issue lies in the severe undervaluation of agricultural labour.

    “Agricultural labour remains one of the most undervalued sectors. The absence of welfare packages, lack of job security, poor remuneration, and weak labour rights. These harsh realities have significantly contributed to the aging profile of the remaining workforce,” Olufolajimi stated.

    Historically, farm labour was sourced from Northern Nigeria and neighboring countries. However, Olufolajimi noted, “with low wages and the devaluation of the Naira, these workers no longer consider migrating for farm work as a viable option.”

    Compounding the challenge, he indicated that farmers and agribusinesses are facing severe constraints due to rising production costs and shrinking profit margins, further worsened by reduced consumer purchasing power. This, according to him,  makes it exceedingly difficult for them to offer competitive wages.

    To reverse this alarming trend and bolster labor supply, Olufolajimi asserted that “significant changes are urgently needed.” He believes that “improved working conditions and fair compensation—particularly the provision of a living wage—are essential to attracting younger individuals to farming and strengthening labour supply in the agricultural sector.” He added, “There is no more effective strategy to revitalize youth participation in agriculture.”

    Read Also: ADA won’t stop Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 — APC Chieftain Okechukwu

    Despite these formidable challenges, Olufolajimi pointed to significant potential for specialists in horticulture agriculture. “Commercial value chain actors require a range of specialised services such as training, documentation, standards compliance, and certification—all vital for accessing premium local and international markets. Graduates of agriculture could tap into these areas as niche opportunities,” he explained.

    Meanwhile, farmers across Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States are already grappling with these realities on the ground. They have lamented a growing shortage of unskilled labor and the soaring cost of farm inputs, just as preparations for the rainfed season farming intensify.

    Farmers expressed their distress, stating that the surging prices of inputs and labor are “severely affecting their farming activities and putting pressure on their already strained finances.” Some farmers in Ondo State described the shortage of unskilled labor as “a big challenge” threatening both farming activities and overall food production in the region.

  • Prayer warfare on food security?

    Prayer warfare on food security?

    A prayer and fasting programme recently called by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security set many tongues wagging. Perhaps so because the nation is far from being food secure, and many apparently wondered if prayer warfare was a nuclear policy option government was adopting as a way out. The ministry swiftly backpedaled on the prayer programme in the face of criticisms. But it is doubtful anyone holds that the divine has no place utterly in human affairs. So, there was more to the jibes against the prayer initiative than just godlessness.

    It all began with an internal memo in the agric ministry that got leaked on social media. The memo dated 11th June, 2025 and signed by the Director of Human Resource Management, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe, invited ministry staff to participate in a prayer programme themed ‘Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development’ and scheduled to hold on three consecutive Mondays from 16th June. The circular was addressed to all directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, value chain desk officers and other staff members, and it read in part: “This is to invite all staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and success in supporting the government’s efforts to achieve food security.”

    The circular stated that the prayer sessions would hold in conference hall ‘B’ at the ministry’s headquarters in Area 11, Garki, Abuja, from 12:00p.m. to 12:30p.m. on scheduled dates namely 16th, 23rd and 30th June, and it enjoined the staff to “come fasting” on those days.

    When the circular got leaked to the public, people raised queries on the relevance of the ministry’s spiritual response to the food crisis in Nigeria, with many questioning the option’s applicability to rising hunger and high cost of food in the land. Analysts wondered whether the ministry had run out of ideas and was thus invoking the fatalism of religion to defray expectations; some cynically said the leadership of the place should then be peopled by imams and pastors rather than technocrats and bureaucrats. Following that trend of public reaction, the same director who earlier unveiled the prayer initiative, in a follow-up circular, announced its postponement “until further notice” without providing any reason.

    Further clarifications came, however, in a statement by Assistant Information Officer to the Director of Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, who explained that the proposed prayer programme was an internal initiative of the human resource department in the ministry to address staff welfare concerns and was not a policy measure. According to him, the programme was organised partly in response to a series of sudden deaths among management cadre staff of the ministry and not as a strategy to tackle food insecurity. He added that the human resource department arranged the prayer sessions to address staff well-being “just as the already existing monthly aerobic exercise and establishment of a gymnasium in the ministry are for physical fitness, and as the regular medical check-up of staff is for their health.”

    The statement could, however, not deny the stated objective of the prayer initiative to appeal for divine intervention in governance issues; so it said the ministry staff deemed it not out of place to also pray for the country, hence the theme proposed for the programme. Stressing that the initiative should not be misinterpreted, the statement explained: “It must be emphasised that this is NOT an official policy by the ministry to address agriculture and food security issues in the country, but in response to the yearnings of staff members who are apprehensive following the death of some of their colleagues in recent times.

    Ikemefuna, in his statement, seized the occasion to outline government’s strides on the policy front and achievements of Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari. “The ministry has taken delivery of over a thousand tractors to support farmers and has signed the commercialisation phase under the supervision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Another of his initiatives is the Strategic Grain Reserve and Market Stabilisation of prices, where about 42,000 metric tonnes of grains and an additional 58,200 metric tonnes of milled rice grains were distributed,” he said. The statement added that the Central Bank of Nigeria donated 2,150,000 bags of fertilisers to curb food inflation; besides that government approved the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture to the tune of N1.5trillion, launched the National Electronic Extension Platform, and initiated reforms in the cooperative sector through training and workshops.

    Read Also: ADA won’t stop Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 — APC Chieftain Okechukwu

    Moreover, the ministry said it had partnered with the World Bank on the $600million Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, rehabilitated 200,000 kilometres of rural roads, and distributed free agricultural inputs nationwide under various schemes, including the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket, among other measures. Restating its commitment to tangible results, the ministry stressed that the prayer programme was an “internal initiative of staff to address the concern over sudden deaths in the ministry and not intended to replace or downplay the remarkable effort and achievement of the ministry and other stakeholders in achieving food security in the nation.”

    It can’t be that the ministry’s statement meant the measures it outlined had resulted in food security, or even impacted significantly in terms of enhancing Nigerians’ access to food. Truth is that they have not, as acute inflation in the cost of food items yet exerts a chokehold on a larger segment of the Nigerian citizenry. Only last week, state governors conferred in Abuja with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on ways of easing that chokehold. High costs of basic items make food security still a mirage for many people in this country, with recent United Nations (UN) estimates indicating that no fewer than 4.4 million citizens do not have enough food to eat. So, there’s much for the agric ministry to yet work at to live up its name, and it isn’t time even by any stretch of positivism to self-applaud.

    But neither is there a good basis, in my view, to hold the ministry to the charge of escape into fatalism. The prayer programme it planned was to hold on three consecutive Mondays for just 30 minutes on each scheduled day. That did not seem like an initiative intended to become a central agenda in the ministry’s operations as to take the place of policy measures, or a conclusive indication of policy failure. In any event, policies typically have gestation periods when implemented before they make discernable impact, and those measures flaunted in the ministry’s statement may well be at that stage before the impact gets felt. Only time will tell, except that the time available is really short and many citizens can’t forebear for much longer. This writer is a firm believer in the efficacy of prayer and the place of the divine in guiding human affairs. So, I see nothing implicitly wrong with the prayer initiative. The question, rather, is how the organisers hoped to harmonise the diversity of faiths among ministry staff within the 30-minute duration of each session as scheduled.

    Still, those who argue that solutions expected to the challenge of food insecurity in Nigeria are more practical than spiritual have a valid point. In other words, factors militating against bumper produce are issues for government to tackle, not for the agric ministry to pray about. Farmers have said they want prices of inputs to crash, access to tractors at affordable cost and provision of security to farming communities that are being deserted because of siege by bandits and insurgents. In collaboration with stakeholders, the ministry should devise remedial measures, including providing farmers access to financing, quality seeds, fertilisers and technology.

    Security for farming communities is easily the biggest challenge. SBM Intelligence, a marketing and security intelligence consultancy specialising in African affairs, reported that some 1,500 farmers in northern Nigeria lost their lives to bandit attacks between 2020 and 2024. Data from Global Human Rights Nigeria also revealed that 24,816 people were killed and 15,597 kidnapped in Nigeria over the past five years. Any serious effort to ensure food security must address the menace of insecurity and enable farmers to return to their farms.

    •Please join me on kayodeidowu.blogspot.be for conversation.

  • How to achieve food security, by don

    How to achieve food security, by don

    Food security can be achieved through government, communities and individuals, a don, Prof. Adio Folayan, has said.

    He said resilient food systems is a foundation of food security in the effort to address complex challenges of food security and sustainability.

    Folayan noted that President Bola Tinubu had declared an emergency on food security, underscoring a commitment to solving the food crisis.

    The don said: “By addressing environmental, economic and social dimensions, embracing diversity, adaptability, redundancy, connectivity, and inclusivity, we can build systems that provide adequate nutrition, as well as withstand and recover from disruption to enable the systems ensure food remains accessible and affordable even in times of crisis.”

    Folayan, dean of Health Sciences at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Ijesha, gave a lecture: “Resilient food systems: a foundation for sustainable national development” at 11th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

    The summit: ‘Resilient Food Systems: Cultivating Sustainability and Security for Nigeria’s Future,’ was organised by Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (Western chapter), with FUOYE.

    Quoting from 1996 World Food Summit, he said “food security exists when people access sufficient, safe and nutritious food for their needs and preferences for a healthy life.”

    He said building resilient food systems is everyone’s responsibility. Folayan, former agric commissioner in Ekiti, attributed food distribution crisis to crop seasonality, inadequate storage, poor transportation and poor market information.

    Read Also: Every Nigerian will feel impact of good governance – Tinubu

    He said  all these result in considerable spatial and seasonal variation in food production and availability, and are responsible for the considerable food price variations in the country.

    The don said other major problems affecting food availability especially at the household level are the inadequacy of food storage, losses of cereals, root, tubers, fruits and vegetables.

    Other notable challenges to food security in Nigeria highlighted by him ibcluded land insecurity due to terrorism and banditry, soil insecurity due to fertiliser usage that is lower than the recommended amount, incessant conflict in the Northeast, climate change, and insecurity that limits market access and the movement of goods.

    Folayan also cited lack of adequate storage facilities, making farmers to sell part of produce soon after harvest at low and innumerable prices, resulting in escalating food prices during the off-season period.

    He added: “In view of the forgoing, an increasing number of Nigerian households have become food insecured as a result of the down turn of the economy, rising inflation and escalating food prices that erode their purchasing power.

    “The solution to the aforesaid problems are resilient food systems and food security for the purpose of ensuring sustainability for future generations.”

  • How to achieve food security, by Don

    How to achieve food security, by Don

    Food security can be achieved through the collective efforts of government, communities and individuals, a university don, Prof. Adio Folayan, has said. 

    He described resilient food systems as the foundation of food security in the collective effort to address the complex challenges of food security and sustainability.

    Folayan noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared a state of emergency on food security, underscoring a commitment to a comprehensive solution to the food crisis.

    The don said: “By addressing environmental, economic and social dimensions, embracing diversity, adaptability, redundancy, connectivity, and inclusivity, we can build systems that not only provide adequate nutrition, but also withstand and recover from disruption to enable the systems ensure that food remains accessible and affordable even in times of crisis.”

    Folayan, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Ijesha, delivered a lecture titled: “Resilient food systems: a foundation for sustainable national development” at the 11th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit held at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). 

    The summit with the theme: ‘Resilient Food Systems: Cultivating Sustainability and Security for Nigeria’s Future’ was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (Western Chapter), in conjunction with FUOYE. 

    Alluding to the conception by 1996 World Food Summit, Folayan pointed out that “food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life..”

    Describing food security as a joint responsibility, he said, “building resilient food systems requires concerted efforts from policy makers, producers, and communities working together to create a robust and sustainable food future.”

    Folayan, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ekiti State, attributed the food distribution crisis in Nigeria to crop seasonality, inadequate storage technology and facilities, inadequate transportation and distribution systems, and inadequate market information.

    Read Also: Agric Ministry reaffirms commitment to food security

    He said all these result in considerable spatial and seasonal variation in food production and availability, and are responsible for the considerable food price variations in the country.

    The don said other major problems affecting food availability especially at the household level are the inadequacy of food storage, losses of cereals, root, tubers, fruits and vegetables.

    Other notable challenges to food security in Nigeria highlighted by him included land insecurity due to terrorism and banditry, soil insecurity due to fertiliser usage that is lower than the recommended amount, incessant conflict in the Northeast, climate change, and insecurity that limits market access and the movement of goods.

    Folayan also cited lack of adequate storage facilities, making farmers to sell part of produce soon after harvest at low and innumerable prices, resulting in escalating food prices during the off-season period.

    He added, “In view of the foregoing, an increasing number of Nigerian households have become food insecure as a result of the downturn of the economy, rising inflation and escalating food prices that erode their purchasing power. 

    “The solution to the aforesaid problems is resilient food systems and food security for the purpose of ensuring sustainability for future generations.”

  • Agric Ministry reaffirms commitment to food security

    Agric Ministry reaffirms commitment to food security

    Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has reiterated its commitment to achieving food and nutrition security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The ministry, in a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, on behalf of Director of Press, while clarifying concerns, stressed that the recently announced prayer session is not to be misconstrued as a policy measure addressing food insecurity.

    “It is a response to internal concerns and does not diminish the progress the ministry is making in advancing the sector,” the statement read.

    The ministry, however, outlined strategic initiatives to transform the nation’s agricultural landscape and cushioning effects of rising food prices.

    Key among these interventions is procurement of 1,000 tractors to support mechanised farming, a move commercialised under direct supervision of President Tinubu.

    Read Also: Tinubu orders security chiefs to restore peace in Benue

    In addition, the ministry is implementing a strategic grain reserve and market price stabilisation, which includes distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains and 58,200 metric tonnes of milled rice.

    To further combat food inflation, the statement said the Central Bank has donated 2.15 million bags of fertiliser, while Bank of Agriculture is being recapitalised to the tune of N1.5 trillion to expand access to affordable credit facilities.

    He noted that the ministry also launched National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) to enhance digital agricultural extension services and revitalised the cooperative sector through training at Federal Cooperative College.

    In partnership with World Bank, it added that the government is set to rehabilitate 200,000 kilometres of rural roads under Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

    Other measures include distribution of free fertilisers, agro-chemicals, and improved seeds.

    The Ministry is also actively implementing the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), which provides subsidised inputs to registered farmers. It is partnering with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve data accuracy and transparency in agricultural service delivery.

  • FG reaffirms commitment to food security

    FG reaffirms commitment to food security

    The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has reiterated its unwavering commitment to achieving food and nutrition security in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The ministry in a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna on behalf of the Director of Press, while clarifying recent public concerns, stressed that the recently announced prayer session is not to be misconstrued as a policy measure addressing food insecurity.

    “It is simply a response to internal concerns and does not in any way diminish the significant strides the Ministry continues to make in advancing the agricultural sector,” the statement read.

    The ministry however outlined ongoing strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the nation’s agricultural landscape and cushioning the effects of rising food prices.

    Key among these interventions is the procurement of over 1,000 tractors to support mechanised farming, a move already commercialised under the direct supervision of President Tinubu.

    Additionally, the Ministry is implementing a strategic grain reserve and market price stabilisation programme, which includes the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains and 58,200 metric tonnes of milled rice across the country.

    To further combat food inflation, the statement noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria has donated 2.15 million bags of fertiliser, while the Bank of Agriculture is being recapitalised to the tune of ₦1.5 trillion to expand farmers’ access to affordable credit facilities.

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    He noted that the Ministry has also launched the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) to enhance digital agricultural extension services nationwide and revitalised the cooperative sector through training initiatives at the Federal Cooperative College.

    In partnership with the World Bank, the statement added that the government is set to rehabilitate 200,000 kilometres of rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

    Other support measures include the nationwide distribution of free agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, agro-chemicals, and improved seeds.

    The Ministry is also actively implementing the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), which provides subsidised inputs to registered farmers. It is partnering with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve data accuracy and transparency in agricultural service delivery.

  • ‘Tech-enabled agriculture future of food security’

    ‘Tech-enabled agriculture future of food security’

    In a significant move to tackle Nigeria’s pressing skills gap and cultivate a tech-savvy workforce, the SAHE Foundation, in collaboration with AGRONIGERIA, is spearheading an initiative to ignite interest in technology-driven careers among young Nigerians, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector.

    The effort, championed by SAHE Foundation Founder, Dr. Idongesit Mbaram, aims to empower the nation’s vibrant youths to become champions of tech-enabled agriculture that will  secure the nation’s  future of food security and sustainable economic development.

    At an event held recently in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Mbaram emphasised the critical role of technology in modern life. “In an increasingly interconnected world, where technology reshapes every facet of our lives, it is crucial that our children are not just consumers of technology, but creators, innovators, and leaders, especially in a sector as vital as agriculture. We believe that by empowering our youths with the knowledge and tools of tech-enabled agriculture, we are not only securing their future but also ensuring food security and sustainable development for our nation and indeed, the world.”

    She further noted the immense potential for partnerships within Nigeria’s agricultural sector to expose young people to opportunities within the nation’s tech and skilled workforce, ultimately benefiting the economy. Dr. Mbaram explained that the sector urgently requires expertise in high-yield crops, advanced farming techniques, and dairy production to boost the country’s sustainable agriculture and food security.

    A significant highlight of the day was the launch of the Global Youth AgriTech Network (GYANT), an international non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    Dr. Mbaram described GYANT as  a global platform connecting young agricultural enthusiasts and innovators from every corner of the world, with representatives from each country. “It will be a community-driven organisation that empowers young people around the world, particularly in underserved agricultural communities, through technology, education, and entrepreneurship,” she explained.

    According to Dr. Mbaram, GYANT will provide AgriTech training, innovation programs, and digital resources to help young farmers improve productivity, sustainability, and food security, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

    In a compelling keynote address, a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo, Engr. Dr. Akpasam Ekanem, provided invaluable insights into the dynamic intersection of technology and agriculture. He asserted that Nigeria stands at the precipice of an agricultural transformation, with its vibrant youth population holding the key to unlocking a future where technology drives food security and economic prosperity. His presentation, “Becoming Young Champions of Technology-Enabled Agriculture in Nigeria,” underscored the urgency and potential of this shift. “We are not just here to discuss agriculture. We are here to reshape its future—powered by technology, led by innovation, and driven by young Nigerians,” he declared.

    Ekanem stressed that the time for an agricultural revolution is now, given the sector’s pivotal role in African economies and the pressing challenges it faces, including climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and critical gaps in market access and technology. With global food demand projected to reach 9.8 billion people by 2050, and Nigeria boasting a demographic advantage with 60% of its population under 25, he posited that the opportunity for youth engagement in agriculture is unprecedented.

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    He highlighted the stark contrast between an aging farming population and a burgeoning, tech-savvy youth, presenting this demographic dividend as a unique chance for young Nigerians to infuse agriculture with innovation, making it “sustainable, attractive, and profitable.” The traditional image of farming, he noted, is rapidly evolving. “Agriculture is now brain-driven,” he asserted, citing examples such as drones in Kaduna, mobile applications in Enugu, artificial intelligence in Ogun, and data analytics in Kano. This modern paradigm, he explained, transforms agriculture into a dynamic fusion of business, innovation and impact. The keynote delved into the specific technologies poised to redefine the sector. Precision agriculture, leveraging drones, sensors, and satellite imaging, promises optimized resource use. E-commerce platforms such as FarmCrowdy and AgroMall are bridging gaps between farmers and markets, while blockchain technology offers the promise of transparent and efficient supply chains. Digital extension services, powered by AI and mobile information systems, are bringing crucial knowledge directly to farmers, and advanced data analytics are enabling better forecasting and risk mitigation.For key stakeholders, Ekanem outlined essential responsibilities, calling for increased investment in broadband and digital infrastructure, robust support for agri-tech innovation hubs, improved accessibility to land and credit for young farmers, the development of enabling regulatory frameworks, and a nationwide boost in digital literacy.

  • Nigeria, Japan to fast-track $110m food security emergency loan programme

    Nigeria, Japan to fast-track $110m food security emergency loan programme

    Nigeria and Japan have taken steps towards the speedy execution of a $110 million Food Security Emergency Loan Support Programme, as both countries work to strengthen food production systems and improve resilience against global supply chain disruptions.

    The $110 million (JPY 15 billion) facility is structured to provide critical support to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, especially during a period of heightened concern over food availability and affordability. 

    With the 2025 rainy season already underway, Nigerian authorities want to move quickly to ensure the programme delivers immediate benefits to farmers and rural communities.

    At a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, engaged with senior officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to discuss implementation strategies.

    A statement on Thursday by the Federal Ministry of Finance disclosed that the focus of the meeting was to align both parties on the next steps for the effective rollout of the emergency loan programme.

    The statement noted that both Nigerian ministers stressed the urgency of coordinated execution of the programme to deliver maximum impact during the current farming season. According to the finance ministry, “With the rainy season now underway, both Ministers noted the importance of swift, coordinated action to maximise impact for farmers and rural communities.”

    During the session, JICA expressed its appreciation for the Nigerian government’s commitment to ensuring timely delivery of the programme. However, the Japanese agency sought further clarification on certain proposed adjustments to the implementation process.

    Read Also: Filming in Japan best experience of my life – Deyemi Okanlawon

    Following deliberations, it was mutually agreed that the core production aspects of the programme should begin immediately within the structure of the existing implementation framework. 

    Other components, particularly those involving aggregation and financing mechanisms, will undergo further review to ensure they align with the provisions of the original loan agreement.

    “This partnership is aimed at supporting the country’s food production systems and enhancing resilience amid global supply challenges,” the ministry stated.

    The loan support initiative is part of broader efforts by the Nigerian government to mitigate food insecurity, which has worsened in recent years due to climate change, conflicts in key food-producing regions, and external shocks to global supply chains.

    Beyond improving access to food, the programme is expected to stimulate rural economies, create job opportunities, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Officials say the facility will also help enhance the capacity of local farmers through targeted interventions and better access to production inputs.

    The meeting with JICA signals a renewed sense of urgency from the federal government in addressing the challenges confronting the agricultural sector, which remains a key pillar in the administration’s economic recovery and growth strategy.

  • Food security pillar of national stability, says President

    Food security pillar of national stability, says President

    • Taraba hosts International Investment Summit

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has underscored food security and inclusive regional development as fundamental pillars for Nigeria’s long-term stability.

    He called on stakeholders to unlock the nation’s vast agricultural and industrial potential.

    Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the opening of the Taraba International Investment Summit 2025 in Jalingo yesterday, President Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria’s economic transformation must begin from the grassroots and be driven by local resources.

    He described food sufficiency as “the first currency of national stability,” noting that agriculture will remain central to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, President Tinubu described araba as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial future, as its agricultural potential is a manifestation of the nation’s shared prosperity.

    “Food sufficiency is the first currency of national stability. This is why we have prioritised agriculture as the anchor of our national strategy,” he said.

    The President praised Taraba’s vast agricultural assets, calling for a shift from subsistence farming to industrial-scale food production.

    “Our farmers must transition from the use of hoes and cutlasses to tractors and harvesters,” he said, stressing that modern tools are vital for increasing productivity and feeding Nigeria’s growing population.

    He stressed that every region of Nigeria has a role to play in national prosperity.

    READ ALSO: Oloyede: Beyond the glitch

    “Our ultimate awakening as a nation begins with this realisation that no part of this country can thrive in isolation.

    “What Taraba offers the nation is more than its breathtaking mountains or fertile valleys; it is a strategic contribution to our shared prosperity,” the President added.

    President Tinubu praised Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, saying: “I want to celebrate the greatest black man in the last 300 years, who single-handedly established the largest single train refinery in the world with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of oil per day, 67 per cent of Nigeria’s refining capacity, occupying 2,635 hectares, larger that Victoria Island, employing 135,000 Nigerians and training 900 engineers abroad.

    “He started this project in 2007/2008. If he had invested the $19 billion that it took him to set up the Dangote Refinery in Microsoft, in Amazon, in Google, he is going to be worth $120 billion now.

    “But he decided to invest in his own country. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, we are mightily proud of you.”

    The President lauded Governor Agbu Kefas for his visionary leadership, which he has demonstrated by convening the summit.

    Kefas assured investors that the state is peaceful and safe for business, with huge human and natural resources.

    He said his administration had created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    Dangote said he would continue to invest in Nigeria.

    “We want to remain here and continue to invest in Nigeria to impact the lives of others, as we keep creating jobs and more jobs.

    “When the local investors are doing well, the foreign ones will come without anybody inviting them.

    “When you have a good restaurant, you will not need to invite people to come and eat.

    “You will hear them talking about such restaurants. Start with the local investors, and this state shall become the shining star,” he said.

    Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Chief Tony Elumelu, said Africa has opened an investment window for the world because the continent has what it can showcase.

    He pledged to partner with Taraba in ensuring that its vision comes true.

    “Investments help in building the capacity of our youth through employment generation. When we create investment, we improve our people,” he said.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said a stable and secure business environment will not only attract investments but also lead to economic growth.

    He said that Taraba’s economy holds significant investment potential and could be optimised to reap the benefits with the provision of a stable and secure investment climate.

    “The government is urged to implement measures that will address investment risks and implement interventions, and eliminate bottlenecks.

    “Peace, security, and stability in host communities are critical determinants of investment flows,” he said.

    Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, who represented the Nigeria Governors Forum, said Nigeria, with its fertile lands, had significant untapped potential.

    “People in Europe can barely farm for three months in a year, but we can farm 24/7, 365 days a year. It means we have no business in poverty,” he said.

    Bago, who described himself as the “Chief Farmer of Nigeria,” added: “The chairman of the NGF, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, is sending his felicitations to the government and people of Taraba State.

    “He has asked me to reassure you of the cooperation of sub-nationals in whatever we decide to bring development to the people of Taraba State.”

    Kaigama: Nigerians should resist fanaticism

    The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, called on Nigerians to resist religious fanaticism and embrace tolerance as a necessary path towards national peace, unity, and development.

    Speaking at the summit, he emphasised the importance of religious harmony, stressing that no religion promotes violence.

    “People should be educated to desist from religious fanaticism and embrace peace for sustainable development because no religion preaches violence,” he said.

    “For Nigeria to join the league of developed nations, the government must be forthright in its fight against religious or ethnic issues that retard our progress.

    “All we need to do is appreciate God and stop unhealthy rivalry. Use the land to produce food rather than quarrel and fight over it — in the end, nobody gains,” he added.

    Complete Kashimbila Dam, Sultan tells Fed Govt

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged the Federal Government to prioritise the completion of the Kashimbila Dam in Taraba State.

    He said the project holds the key to resolving Nigeria’s persistent electricity problems.

    “We need that dam ready at 100 per cent. If that project had been completed and was already generating power, many of the challenges we are having with power would have been a thing of the past.

    “It has taken successive governments years to address it, but now we must concentrate on completing the whole project.

    “Let it generate power not just for Taraba, but for the entire Northeast and the country at large,” the Sultan said.