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Tag: Food

  • Fed Govt records 2.5m metric tonnes of food output under NAGS-AP in four years

    Fed Govt records 2.5m metric tonnes of food output under NAGS-AP in four years

    The Federal Government has revealed that more than 2.5 million metric tonnes of food were produced nationwide under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project over a four-year period, with an estimated economic value of N2.31 trillion.

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi stated that the programme recorded a cumulative output of 2,536,184 metric tonnes of agricultural produce across four planting seasons, describing the outcome as a significant boost to food supply and a key factor in the gradual stabilisation of food prices across the country.

    According to him, the NAGS-AP Project was launched as part of the Federal Government’s Food Security Emergency Support Programme to close food supply gaps and ensure sustainable food and nutrition security nationwide.

    The minister explained that the initiative targets six major staple crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean and cassava and has played a critical role in improving food availability.

    “Food prices are already showing signs of decline, while efforts are ongoing to address the high cost of agricultural inputs,” the minister said.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to revitalising the agricultural sector, noting that the declaration of a state of emergency on food and nutrition security demonstrates the government’s determination to make nutritious and affordable food accessible to Nigerians.

    Senator Abdullahi further disclosed that preparations were nearing completion for the rollout of additional interventions, including a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan project and the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS 2.0).

    He explained that the JICA-backed initiative would concentrate on rice, maize, soybean and cassava production, while NAGS 2.0 would focus on wheat and rice cultivation beginning from the 2026 wet season.

    For the 2025/2026 dry season, the minister said the programme would support the production of rice, maize and cassava across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    He added that the workshop was organised to assess lessons from previous implementation phases, identify challenges and adopt innovative approaches to enhance efficiency, transparency and overall impact. This, he said, would be achieved through a revised operational framework developed in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the strong participation of stakeholders underscored the relevance and success of the NAGS-AP Project.

    Ogunbiyi noted that the workshop was aimed at thoroughly reviewing the strengths and shortcomings of earlier implementation cycles, while validating a new framework designed to strengthen collaboration between the NAGS-AP Project Secretariat, the BOA and other key stakeholders.

    He disclosed that an integrated ICT-driven platform had been introduced under the new framework to clearly outline roles and responsibilities and enhance coordination among all parties involved in executing the project.

    “The Ministry expects stakeholders to provide candid contributions that will help build a system that works for everyone and delivers sustainable results,” he said.

    The two-day workshop is expected to generate practical recommendations that will shape future implementation of the NAGS-AP Project and related programmes.

    If you want it shorter, more formal, or headline-ready, just say the word.

  • How to turn agric policies to effective food security, by Samuel

    How to turn agric policies to effective food security, by Samuel

    Chairman, Origin Automobile Works, Prince Samuel Joseph Samuel, has called for a radical rethink of the nation’s food security strategy, urging the government to adopt a policy that would require ministers, commissioners and other top officials to own or partner in farming ventures as a condition for leadership.

    Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos to mark the 25th anniversary of Origin Automobile Works, Samuel argued that the persistent agricultural challenges stem from a disconnect between policy formulation and on-the-ground realities.

    According to him, the most effective way to close that gap is to ensure that policymakers have direct personal stakes in agriculture.

    He said: “If there’s any very serious policy I want the government to make, it is for ministers, commissioners and government officials to own at least a farm or partner in a farming project. There’s no easier way of getting people to relate to something than when they own it and they are truly part of it. Until you own something, you will not reach out. You will not even know those who are playing; you will not know the opportunities that are there”.

    Samuel maintained that even modest engagement, such as operating a backyard farm, would transform how leaders understand the sector and naturally push them to deploy their influence in ways that strengthen agriculture and empower farmers.

    Beyond policy ownership, the Origin Chairman drew attention to what he described as deep structural gaps in the agricultural ecosystem, particularly the absence of a functional equipment leasing culture. He noted that while leasing is critical to modern agriculture, Nigeria lacks the supporting framework, especially in maintenance services and insurance coverage.

    “Unfortunately, we don’t have any very successful leasing company in Nigeria.If anybody needs to come to that space, you will need to come from the point of view of a very large operator that also is vertically integrated. It has to be built by enterprises that are heavily supported by governments,” Samuel said.

    Read Also: Lagos focuses on food to drive growth

    He criticised past interventions that focused narrowly on distributing machinery, especially tractors, without building the systems required to make them productive and profitable.

    According to him, replacing manual labour with machines without considering efficiency, training and maintenance has often resulted in losses rather than gains.

    “You provide a tractor, but you didn’t teach the farmer how to efficiently use the tractor. That’s a problem. Two, you didn’t teach the farmer how to efficiently use the tractor.You didn’t provide him proper maintenance, where he would get quick support and quick maintenance,” Samuel said.

    He further highlighted the logistical challenges that undermine tractor-hiring schemes, pointing to the wide dispersion of farms across rural areas. “You put a good tractor in one location. The farmers within that area are five kilometres to 25 to 30 kilometres from each other. If they will pay you N10, you will use N30 to transport the tractor to where I work for them. Will you go? You will not go,” he said.

    Despite these challenges, Samuel expressed confidence that  farmers could achieve significant income gains if productivity growth is guaranteed through pragmatic government policies and improved mechanisation. He said Nigeria has the natural endowments to rank among the world’s leading food producers but warned that productivity growth has remained moderate in recent years, threatening competitiveness and the country’s ability to meet rising domestic and global food demand.

    “Global competitors have pushed ahead with technology-driven productivity gains, and Nigeria is losing ground,” he said, adding that it was time for the country to rediscover its agricultural edge on the global stage.

    Samuel stressed that data-driven farming would be critical in meeting global demands for sustainability and traceability, noting that Nigeria’s large and youthful population makes the moment particularly urgent. With the right policy support for mechanised agriculture, he said, the country could reclaim its position as a global agricultural powerhouse.

    On human capital development, Samuel revealed that Origin Automobile Works is launching  the fifth cohort of its “Origin Eagle” programme, which mentors and trains young engineers.

    He said: “The programme currently hosts 60 participants, with plans to train 200 technicians next year through a year-long, fully funded residency. They sit around our project, they move around, and they learn from us. The goal is to duplicate knowledge so that even if they don’t stay with us, they remain valuable contributors to the national economy”.

    He also underscored the importance of sustained investment in innovation, arguing that closing the agricultural investment gap is essential because returns on agricultural innovation multiply over the long term. According to him, Nigeria has the talent, ingenuity and drive to lead the world in sustainable food production if productivity and innovation are placed at the centre of how food is grown.

    Reaffirming Origin Automobile Works’ commitment to national development, Samuel said the company has positioned itself as a regional leader in equipment stocking.

    “As you can see here, we always hold the largest stock of equipment. Any type of equipment you can talk about, no company in this country or in West Africa has the stock of our machines. That is to show you that we have confidence in the economy, we have confidence in the leaders and the policymakers,” Samuel said.

    He disclosed that several large-scale agricultural initiatives currently in incubation would be unveiled in the first quarter of next year, promising significant economic impact.

    On the revenue potential of agriculture, Samuel compared Nigeria with global leaders, noting that the United States generates about $177 billion annually from food exports, with soybeans accounting for a large share, while the Netherlands earns over $100 billion. He contrasted this with Nigeria, where about 40 percent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture and roughly 62 percent participates in the broader agri-food value chain.

    Addressing rising food prices and policy responses, Samuel cautioned against short-term fixes that undermine long-term economic health. He described agriculture as a sector that requires continuity, something often disrupted by political cycles.

    He said: “Agriculture has long gestation. It’s not a short-term business.t’s a relay race. It’s not a marathon. So you have to pass the baton”.

    He noted that to reduce the risks of policy inconsistency, there must be stronger private enterprises, which are the true engines of sustainable development.

    “That’s why the democracies that are very successful try to encourage enterprises, because enterprises are more potential than relying on government policy.We must work harder to celebrate, manage the deficiencies and challenges of our enterprises, and find a way to grow them and ensure that they are sustainable,” Samuel said.

    He added that Origin is already working strategically with federal and state governments to develop Nigeria’s agri-food system by identifying high-value clusters, supporting startups, increasing exposure to international partners and strengthening supply chains with industry-backed technology.

  • President orders crash in food prices, targets food sovereignty

    President orders crash in food prices, targets food sovereignty

    From the President  came yesterday a marching order  to a committee  within the Federal Executive Council (FEC):   crash  food prices in the country.

    The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food  Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, broke the news in Abuja.

    It was during the presention of  a paper at a one-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Senate Press Corps for its members.

    Abdullahi explained that the  reduction in food prices would be achieved through safe passage of agricultural produce and commodities across various routes in the country.

    The minister said  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive was geared towards the realisation of his vision on food sovereignty.

    Abdullahi said: “In addressing the high cost of transportation of farm produce in the country, I can say it on good authority to you that the President has given a marching order to a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it, on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural goods and commodities across our various routes in the country.

    Read Also: Tinubu orders further crash in food prices

    “We are aware, and I’m sure as media, you are also aware, that there are routes through which commodities are taken before they are delivered, if you know the amount of money that is being spent, you can now understand why those commodities have to be expensive at the point of delivery.

    “So we are working very hard. We are doing quite a lot. But I’ve just given you a snippet because I’m here, and I felt we should look at that.”

    On the President’s food sovereignty target,  Senator Abdullahi said the vision is within the ambit of food security and food sufficiency encompassing availability of  the food, accessibility of the food, affordability, and in the right nutritional content on a sustainable basis.

    He added that other programmes like the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and cooperative reform are being mapped out for implementation.

    “We are having what we call the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and that is ready for launch. We are just waiting for the date.

    “Another important part I would like you to take note of very seriously is that we are promoting, or we are having what you call, cooperative reform and revamp programme.

    “Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members.

    “The principle of cooperative is clear and is democratic, yet it is also very productive. We are reforming this.

    “There’s a number of things we are doing there and I will urge you, as a Press Corps, to consider forming a cooperative,” he said.

    Other speakers at the workshop themed: “Parliamentary reporting: issues, challenges and responsibilities,” were the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senator Ita Enang and the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, who was represented .

  • Tinubu orders further crash in food prices

    Tinubu orders further crash in food prices

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a committee within the Federal Executive Council to ensure further crash in food prices in the country, it was learnt on Wednesday.

    The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja while presenting a paper at a one-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Senate Press Corps for its members.

    Abdullahi explained that the further reduction in food prices would be achieved through safe passage of agricultural produce and commodities across various routes in the country.

    The Minister said the President’s directive was geared towards the realisation of his vision on food sovereignty.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Kagoro monarch, Ufuwai Bonet, at 90

    Abdullahi said: “In addressing the high cost of transportation of farm produce in the country, I can say it on good authority to you that the President has given a matching order to a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it, on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural goods and commodities across our various routes in the country.

    “We are aware, and I’m sure as media, you are also aware, that there are routes through which commodities are taken before they are delivered, if you know the amount of money that is being spent, you can now understand why those commodities have to be expensive at the point of delivery.

    “So we are working very hard. We are doing quite a lot. But I’ve just given you a snippet because I’m here, and I felt we should look at that.”

    On the President’s food sovereignty target Senator Abdullahi said the vision is within the ambit of food security and food sufficiency encompassing availability of the food, accessibility of the food, affordability, and in the right nutritional content on a sustainable basis.

    He added that other programmes like the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and cooperative reform are being mapped out for implementation.

    “We are having what we call the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and that is ready for launch. We are just waiting for the date.

    “Another important part I would like you to take note of very seriously is that we are promoting, or we are having what you call, cooperative reform and revamp programme.

    “Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members.

    “The principle of cooperative is clear and is democratic, yet it is also very productive. We are reforming this.

    “There’s a number of things we are doing there and I will urge you, as a Press Corps, to consider forming a cooperative,” he said.

  • Why quest for food sufficiency may remain elusive

    Why quest for food sufficiency may remain elusive

    • By Bashir Bello

    Sir: Nigeria’s dream of achieving food and agricultural sufficiency will remain elusive unless we radically change our strategy. Over the years, various agricultural policies and programmes have been implemented, yet results remain minimal. The glaring failure of numerous agricultural programmes vis-a-vis the CBN-funded NIRSAL programme, designed to enhance the agricultural value chain and boost farming as a business, is evident in the rising cost of food and farm commodities.

    We must shift gears and abandon outdated methods for innovative approaches. Agriculture is our future; Nigeria’s prosperity lies not in oil, but in the agricultural sector. Yet, our farming practices still rely heavily on manual labour instead of capital investment and advanced training to adopt modern methods.

    Agriculture today is no longer confined to land alone. It extends to water bodies and even vertical spaces. Reliance on land, labour, and natural endowments is no longer a guarantee for surplus production. The next stage demands the adoption of scientific and technological processes; indoor farming with greenhouses and mega green complexes, aquaponics, hydroponics, vertical farming, and eliminating dependence on unpredictable weather.

    Read Also: Lokpobiri family, Ekeremor youths back NCDMB boss, demand IYC President’s resignation

    These methods can also reduce or even remove the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Consider the Netherlands: with less than 1% of the U.S. landmass, it is the world’s second-largest food exporter, earning nearly $90 billion last year. By perfecting growing conditions and maximizing space, yields can reach up to 350 times that of conventional farming. Dutch greenhouses produce 35% of the nation’s vegetables using only 1% of its farmland, and the country is moving toward complete control of the production process, removing reliance on sunlight and other unpredictable elements caused by climate change. Precision farming guarantees full control from seed to harvest.

    Modern farming is about capital and technology; investments in infrastructure, energy, scientific equipment, and machinery, coupled with intensive farmer training and retraining.

    The UN estimates that global food demand will rise by 70% by 2050 as the population grows, even as farmland and water resources shrink due to global warming. For Nigeria, with a rapidly growing population and stagnant agricultural output, the gap between food demand and supply is widening dangerously.

    Securing our food future requires environmental sustainability and a shift to futuristic farming. This involves high-tech, capital-driven agriculture through collaboration between government, scientists, and industry. We must borrow a leaf from world leaders in agriculture, rather than clinging to traditional methods that cannot meet the needs of tomorrow.

    •Bashir Bello,

    Kaduna

  • ‘How biotech can tackle food crisis’

    ‘How biotech can tackle food crisis’

    Islamic clerics and experts have thrown their weight behind the adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and biotechnology in agriculture, citing their potential to solve Nigeria’s deepening food security crisis.

    Speaking at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Nigeria, under the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), religious leaders pledged spiritual and moral support for government-led biotech initiatives.

    Secretary to the Chief Imam of Dantata Mosque, Malam Abdullahi Nuhu, said the endorsement reflects a broader commitment within the Islamic community to support innovation that can improve livelihoods and ensure food availability.

    “We pledge our prayers and spiritual support to ensure the success of these programmes across Nigeria,” Nuhu stated. “Our leaders encourage us to back these efforts wholeheartedly.”

    Director-General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, highlighted the critical role of GM technology in addressing Nigeria’s food and environmental challenges.

    He assured participants that GMO seeds being deployed are locally produced by Nigerian companies, giving the country control over production and supply.

    “Rejecting safe and tested innovations at a time of growing food insecurity would be a missed opportunity,” Mustapha warned.

    “This is about ensuring food self-sufficiency while protecting our environment.”

    Read Also: Abiodun, Makinde meet on food, security

    NBRDA’s Director of Agricultural Biotechnology, Dr Rose Gidado, outlined the practical benefits of GM crops, including reduced pesticide use, pest resistance, longer shelf life, and climate resilience.

    “Biotechnology holds the key to building a sustainable agricultural system and fostering socio-economic development,” she said.

    The Principal Investigator of the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, Prof. Mohammed Ishiyaku,  described biotechnology as a cost-effective and sustainable solution to low farm yields.

    “These crops meet international safety standards and have been proven safe for both human consumption and the environment,” henoted.

    The workshop brought together scientists, policymakers, and faith-based leaders to deepen understanding and build consensus around the role of biotechnology in agricultural transformation.

  • Despite rise in food costs, inflation rate drops to 22.22%

    Despite rise in food costs, inflation rate drops to 22.22%

    • Yusuf urges govt to review exchange rate for import duty

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday said inflation rate reduced to 22.22 per cent in June 2025 from 22.97 per cent in May 2025. But the costs of foods, said the Bureau, rose by 1.07 per cent in the period. This was contained in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) June 2025 report released by the Bureau.

    The steady decline in headline inflation for the third consecutive month was hailed by the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise [CPPE] yesterday. The Centre however noted that concerns remain as the month on month figures continue to reflect persistent pressures on prices.

    The Chief Executive Officer, CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, in a chat with The Nation, explained that from a policy perspective it translates that more attention needs to be paid to these variables.

    “It is curious that despite the stability in the exchange rate,  core inflation is still on the upward trend. Greater attention needs to be paid to the activation of trade policy instruments to bring down imported input cost in the economy.  Tariff policies need to be further recalibrated to ease the cost of critical inputs for the production and service sectors of the economy.  The exchange rate for the computation of import duty needs to be reviewed to ease trade costs,” Dr. Yusuf.

    The CPPE, he further said,  acknowledges the numerous investments by the Federal and state governments to boost agricultural production. However, he explained that: “It is important to draw attention to the fact that the dramatic appreciation of the currency of our neighbouring countries [the CFA] against the naira has created a huge incentive for the export of Nigerian products,  especially agricultural products,  to these countries.

     Nigerian products are now incredibly cheaper for these countries to buy. This is also taking a toll on domestic supply of food. The challenge therefore is to scale up domestic production.

    According to the report, the CPI rose to 123.4 in the period under review, reflecting a 2.0-point increase from the preceding month (121.4).

    NBS said, “In June 2025, the Headline inflation rate eased to 22.22 per cent relative to the May 2025 headline inflation rate of 22.97 per cent .”

    The report added that looking at the movement, the June 2025 headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 0.76 per cent compared to the May 2025 headline inflation rate.

    Read Also: FEC holds special tribute session for Buhari Thursday

    On a year-on-year basis, the report said, the headline inflation rate was 11.97 per cent lower than the rate recorded in June 2024 (34.19 per cent).

    NBS said this shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) decreased in June 2025 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., June 2024), though with a different base year, November 2009 = 100.

    It further said on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in June 2025 was 1.68 per cent, which was 0.15 per cent higher than the rate recorded in May 2025 (1.53 per cent).

    NBS said this means that in June 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level was higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in May 2025.

    In the period under review, the report said the food inflation rate was 21.97 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

    It stressed that it was 18.90 per cent points lower compared to the rate recorded in June 2024 40.87l per cent.

    But NBS explained that the significant decline in the annual food inflation figure was technically due to the change in the base year.

    On a month-on-month basis, however, the report said the food inflation rate in June 2025 was 3.25 per cent, up by 1.07 per cent compared to May 2025 which stood at 2.19 per cent.

    NBS attributed  the increase to the rate of increase in the average prices of Green Peas (Dried), Pepper (Fresh), Shrimps (white dried), Crayfish, Meat (Fresh), Tomatoes (Fresh), Plantain Flour, Ground Pepper, etc.

    The report added that “The average annual rate of Food inflation for the twelve months ending June 2025 over the previous twelve-month average was 28.28 per cent, which was 7.06 per cent points lower compared with the average annual rate of change recorded in June 2024 at 35.35 per cent.”

    NBS said in June 2025, all Items inflation rate on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Borno (31.63 per cent), Abuja (26.79 per cent), and Benue (25.91 per cent), while Zamfara (9.90 per cent), Yobe (13.51 per cent), Sokoto (15.78per cent) recorded the lowest rise in headline inflation on Year-on-Year basis.

     It said on a Month-on-Month basis,  however, June 2025 recorded the highest increases in Ekiti (5.39 per cent), Delta (5.15 per cent), Lagos (5.13 per cent), while Zamfara (-6.89 per cent), Niger (-5.35 per cent) and Plateau (-4.01 per cent) recorded the lowest rise in Month-on-Month inflation.

    NBS said in the period under review, food inflation on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Borno (47.40 per cent), Ebonyi

    (30.62 per cent), Bayelsa (28.64 per cent), while Katsina (6.21 per cent), Adamawa (10.90 per cent), and Sokoto (15.25 per cent) recorded the slowest rise in Food inflation on Year-on-Year basis.

    The report said on a Month-on-Month basis, however, June 2025 Food inflation was highest in Enugu (11.90 per cent), Kwara (9.97 per cent), and Rivers (9.88 per cent) while Borno (-7.63 per cent), Sokoto (-6.43 per cent) and Bayelsa (-6.34 per cent), recorded decline in Food  inflation on Month-on-Month basis.

    On urban inflation, NBS said in June 2025, the Urban inflation rate was 22.72 per cent, 13.83 per cent points lower compared to the 36.55 per cent recorded in June 2024.

    On a month-on-month basis, the report said the Urban inflation rate was 2.11 per cent in June 2025, up by 0.71 per cent compared to May 2025 at 1.40 per cent.

    NBS said the Rural inflation rate in June 2025 was 20.85 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 11.24 per cent points lower compared to the 32.09 per cent recorded in June 2024.

    It also said on a month-on-month basis, the Rural inflation rate in June 2025 was 0.63 per cent, down by 1.2 per cent compared to May 2025 (1.83 per cent).

  • Remember when we grew food in our gardens

    Remember when we grew food in our gardens

    There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm, notes Aldo Leopold in A Sand County Almanac; one is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other, is that heat comes from the furnace.

    For the benefit of the superficial Millennial or Gen Z-er, the Curmudgeon paints a more fascinating picture of the source of all wealth. And in the true spirit of his portraiture, I’d say: Imagine yourself a ghommid, standing smack in the centre of Nigeria’s groundnut pyramids, animal ranches, and cocoa plantations, several decades ago.

    You take your ghommid’s shears and cut down surrounding flora to make a clearing for a farm. As the crops flower and animals fatten, you harvest the best grains and herd all the supple livestock into a giant pile, wave a magic wand, and it’s all turned into industry, buildings, and people spattered across gated high society and sprawling boondocks. You name this ‘progress’ and feign mutation from ghommid to giant.

    Such is the relationship between cities and the countryside, the modern and out-of-date, the dwindling past, and the silicon age. We must understand, however, that mortal Nigeria, as the metaphorical giant, is nothing but a dispensable minion in the economics of life.

    A Nigerian prototype of America’s Silicon Valley is the Millennials and Gen Zers’ most astute retort to the declining world foisted upon all by the older generation. But this has done too little to improve our fortunes. Ultimately, the burgeoning IT sector fosters ephemeral growth; rather than giving relief, it delivers a Siamese bundle of utopia and dystopia in one birth.

    Young Nigeria, like the rest of the world, is besotted by this twin grotesqueness for its dazzle and espoused freedoms. More fascinating are the manifestations of the now ubiquitous start-up and fintech. A peculiar thing is happening: where the government fails to show up, foreign financiers or angel funders, if you like, are extending their interventions with curious funding.

    Of course, nobody sees anything wrong with this. How could anyone deem such interventions scary in a world where oligarchs maul promising youths into armed bandits, career assassins, political hooligans, murderers, arsonists, and so on, while they embezzle public funds to entertain their wives and educate their children abroad?

    Read Also: Tinubu signs historic Tax Reform Bills to law Thursday

    Thus, the argument is that angel funding is great for the economy. These seed monies – irrespective of their slush equivalents used for funding regime change and dubious political springs worldwide –  are filling a crucial void in empowering youths who would otherwise be unemployed and left out of the loop of social interventions.

    Not all ‘seed money’ is a slush fund; a few agricultural startups have sprouted from the seeds of angel funders with stakes in diverse sectors of the agricultural economy. Some of their interventions subsist in the production of palm kernel oil (PKO), which is still currently inadequate for the companies that use it as raw material.

    Then, some support farmers’ scale-up from peasant farming to commercial farming by providing extension services, quality seeds, access to finance, access to mechanisation, and general advisory services on new and innovative methods in farming.

    These appreciable interventions deserve a sustainable partnership between the government and the so-called angel funders of Nigeria’s Silicon Valley. But technology, like the crude oil boom, is Janus-faced, often manifesting as development’s womb and tomb.

    Little wonder Silicon Valley subsists as the playground of nerds and mindless herds on a leash. It is also the modern arena of the surveillance state, our private perversions and mob wars: government and the governed, husbands and wives, parents and children, lovers and their sexual nemesis, politicians and electorate, clash like gladiators – their mismatched whims the tools of shredding and seizure.

    The history of technology has often been characterised by a debate between enamoured romantics and dismissive sceptics. Neither divide, however, projects a convincing response to the opportunities and challenges that new technologies present; both in turn often exaggerate or downplay the impact of technology, and this leads to entrenched positions and polarisation.

    Such entrenched positions can be harmful even if politically correct and more media-friendly than the highly differentiated analysis fostered by reality and careful, longitudinal research.

    Advocates of technology integration in agriculture must understand the discourses that drive it and, in some cases, harm its acceptance, and find a balance between the technological innovations that can be sustained by sound policies and those driven more by Machiavellian interests.

    Technology is useless if it isn’t humane and doesn’t improve life. Given the soil’s contribution to all life and wealth, technology must be deployed to enhance its healing and restorative properties by which disease passes into health, age into youth, and death into life.

  • Governors agree to curb food, livestock distribution hurdles

    Governors agree to curb food, livestock distribution hurdles

    • ‘Illegal checkpoints, taxation reasons for high food inflation’

    The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to collaborate on ways to dismantle existing hurdles to the easy transportation of food and livestock across the country.

    The hurdles include unauthorised checkpoints, illegal taxation, and poor infrastructure.

    NGF noted that the hiccups contribute to high food inflation and a poor food supply chain. 

    Members of the forum decided on the move at a meeting on Wednesday night in Abuja.

       National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ridabu and three ministers Abubakar  Badaru (Defence), Mohammad   Abubakar (Agriculture and  Livestock Development)  and  Sa’idu   Alkali  (Transportation)  attended the meeting. 

    READ ALSO: Governor Umo Eno and the lynch mob

    According to a communique after the meeting,    the forum also expressed concern over the non-fulfilment of funding pledges by the World Bank under the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES). 

    The communique was signed by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    It reads: “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today (Wednesday), deliberated on issues affecting the country.

    “The forum received a briefing from the National Security Adviser (NSA), accompanied by the Honourable Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation, on the rising cost of food and livestock transportation across the country. 

    “The presentation revealed that the proliferation of checkpoints, illegal taxation  and poor infrastructure are key contributors to price inflation and inefficiencies in the food supply chain.

     “The NSA noted that a high-level inter-ministerial committee has been established to address these concerns and has submitted its recommendations for the endorsement of the forum. 

    “Governors acknowledged the urgency of the matter and expressed commitment to collaborate with federal authorities to streamline levies, dismantle unauthorized checkpoints, and improve the movement of goods across states.

    “The forum received a presentation from the World Bank on the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.

    “The bank highlighted that states have made significant investments totalling over $2.2 billion through the NG-CARES delivery platforms, with verified impacts reaching over 17 million direct beneficiaries.

    “Governors expressed concern over the non-fulfilment of funding pledges by the bank under NG-CARES 1.0.

    “The forum emphasised the need for an amicable resolution between the World Bank and participating states to conclude the first phase of the programme before advancing to NG-CARES 2.0, which is designed to build long-term resilience for vulnerable households and enterprises.”

  • Farmers, traders, others fingered in food contamination

    Farmers, traders, others fingered in food contamination

    Adulteration in Nigeria’s food sector has been attributed to substandard practices by key players across the agricultural value chain — particularly farmers, traders, and market vendors. This was revealed by the Director of the Fresh Food Hub at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, during a Stakeholders Dialogue on the Right to Food Act held in Lagos.

    Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, Sagoe-Oviebo highlighted thedisconnect between government interventions and their long-term outcomes. According to her, despite consistent support and funding extended to farmers, many of these interventions fail to yield lasting improvements. “We often return to the same communities one or two years after providing assistance, only to discover there’s no trace of the support that was given,” she said.

    Sagoe-Oviebo stressed that government’s role in food security should focus on creating an enabling environment rather than directly engaging in food production. “The government shouldn’t be farming. It should be empowering farmers with the tools and knowledge necessary to scale food production. However, there’s a growing expectation among some farmers that they should continue receiving government support year after year, regardless of the assistance already provided,” she warned.

    The event, which has “Together against Poverty,” as theme was supported by Oxfam in Nigeria under its Together against Poverty (TAP) initiative. The TAP project aims to leverage Oxfam’s global expertise to push for systemic reforms that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also focuses on strengthening aid effectiveness, promoting development financing, and advocating for smallholder-led agricultural transformation through policy reforms and strategic resource allocation.

    Sagoe-Oviebo underscored the need for accountability at all levels — from government officials to individual farmers and consumers. “Everyone has a role to play in ensuring food availability. Accountability starts with each of us. As a government official, I must be accountable for my duties. Likewise, farmers must be responsible stewards of the resources and support they receive,” she declared.

    She decried the rising level of food adulteration and posed a critical question to the audience: “When food is compromised through unethical practices in its production or distribution, can we still blame the government for those lapses?” She called for introspection and encouraged stakeholders across the board to reassess their responsibilities. “If we all take ownership of our roles, real transformation in Nigeria’s food system is possible,” she added.

    Speaking in a personal capacity, Sagoe-Oviebo lamented a general lack of patriotism among Nigerians. “Too often, we expect the government to be everything. But the truth is, the government has its place, and so do individuals. Many of us have failed to play our part. Before demanding accountability from leadership, we must first hold ourselves accountable,” she emphasized. “When citizens begin to do the right thing, it compels the government to also sit up and act right.”

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    While praising the Ogbenge Women group for successfully managing the support extended to them, she questioned whether such dedication was common among other beneficiaries. She urged Oxfam and similar organizations to revisit their implementation strategies to ensure sustainability and inclusiveness.

    In his remarks, Michael Terungwa David, Team Lead at the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), painted a stark picture of food insecurity in Lagos State. Citing a 2022 report, David revealed that over 1.78 million Lagos residents are currently food-insecure — the highest figure in the country.

    “This alarming statistic reflects the daily struggles of urban households to access affordable and nutritious food,” he noted. Despite ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity, systemic challenges such as poverty, inflation, unemployment, and logistical constraints continue to hinder progress.

    David emphasized that Lagos State’s food security is of national importance, given its large population, dynamic economy, and strategic role in Nigeria’s food supply chain. “Ensuring food security in Lagos is not just a local imperative — it is critical for national development, public health, social cohesion, and economic stability,” he said.

    He listed several reasons for prioritising food security in the state: its massive population, position as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, its influence on the national food system, and the role it plays in poverty reduction and sustainable development.

    David also celebrated the recent passage of the Right to Food Act, calling it a transformative legal milestone. “This Act marks a paradigm shift. It enshrines access to adequate food as a legal right, not a privilege. It mandates that every Nigerian, regardless of status, must have access to safe and nutritious food,” he said.

    He clarified that while food security is the end goal, the Right to Food is the legal and institutional pathway to achieve it. “This forum provides us with a timely opportunity to reflect on our current realities, identify gaps, and develop strategies to ensure full implementation of the Act,” he said.

    David urged stakeholders to respond to the urgent realities of worsening food insecurity, economic hardship, and climate change. “Beyond raising awareness, this dialogue must lay the foundation for coordinated, multi-stakeholder actions and strong governance structures that will bring the law to life in the daily experiences of ordinary Nigerians,” he concluded.