A leading academic has sounded a stark alarm, calling for stronger commitments from Nigerian leaders to tackle the nation's escalating food crisis and production challenges. This urgent plea comes as the World Food Programme estimates that 26.5 million Nigerians are exposed to acute hunger.
Insecurity and Inflation Crippling Food Systems
Professor Demo Kalla, a Professor of Animal Science and Livestock Policy Strategist at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, delivered the call to action. He lamented the devastating impact of insecurity and soaring costs on the nation's food landscape.
He pointed out that food inflation has surged above 32 per cent, severely worsening affordability for ordinary Nigerians. Furthermore, the country's food import bill stood at a staggering N1.5 trillion as of the first quarter of 2024, highlighting a dangerous vulnerability.
Professor Kalla, speaking at a webinar titled "Food for thought on Nigeria’s food security landscape" organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, described the situation as both a humanitarian crisis and a national security threat.
Farmlands Abandoned, Supply Chains Disrupted
The academic detailed how banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts have devastated Nigeria's major food belts in the Northwest, Northeast, and North Central regions. These security challenges have forcibly displaced farmers and brought farming activities to a halt.
He argued that insecurity has disrupted farming in 14 major agricultural states, leading to the abandonment of approximately 4.2 million hectares of farmlands since 2020. This criminal economy, he stated, is actively destroying agricultural production and fracturing vital food supply chains.
Kalla explained that the herder-farmer crisis, compounded by population explosion, climate change, and global insurgency trends, is severely limiting Nigeria's opportunity to become food-secure.
The Data and the Path Forward
Citing critical statistics, the professor painted a clear picture of the challenge:
- Nigeria is 26.8 per cent food insecure.
- The agricultural growth rate is only 2.1 per cent.
- The child stunting rate is 37 per cent.
- The Global Hunger Index score is 28.3 per cent.
- Peak food insecurity in conflict zones reaches 40 per cent.
He noted that while agriculture contributes about 25 per cent to GDP, there is a desire to increase this to 45 per cent. "A secure Nigeria is a food-secure Nigeria," Kalla asserted.
He warned that heavy dependence on food imports is hurting local production, reducing farmer welfare, and contributing to unemployment. "Without productivity gains through inputs, irrigation, mechanisation and security, growth alone will not deliver food security," he emphasised.
While acknowledging the declaration of a state of emergency in the food sector as a positive policy, Kalla expressed concerns over policy inconsistencies and institutional weaknesses. He cited frequent shifts in agricultural policies, such as changing import bans and subsidy programmes, which create uncertainty for investors.
He concluded that programmes like the Anchor Borrower’s Programme and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) have had some positive impact, but limited coordination between federal and state agencies continues to weaken overall implementation.
