The Federal Government has emphasized that food security is a key priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking to newsmen, Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, outlined several initiatives rolled out since Tinubu’s inauguration in May 2023 to address the country’s food security challenges.
“As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, food security is at the forefront of our agricultural strategy. It is central to Nigeria’s economy and is expected to play a critical role in poverty alleviation and promoting gender inclusivity,” Abdullahi stated. He further explained that President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the nation’s food security situation, with a vision to eliminate hunger in the country. “Many times, President Tinubu has expressed his vision to take Nigeria to a position where no one goes to bed hungry. We are fully committed to realizing that vision and are working tirelessly to achieve it,” the minister added.
In recent years, Nigeria has faced a sharp rise in food prices, making basic food items unaffordable for millions of citizens. In response, the government has introduced several measures, including the distribution of palliatives to millions of Nigerians, to mitigate the effects of the price hikes.
Just months after assuming office, President Tinubu declared a national emergency on food security, emphasizing the need to safeguard Nigeria’s agricultural sector. “We will engage our security forces to protect farms and farmers, ensuring that they can work the land without fear of attacks,” Tinubu said.
The president also highlighted the role of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in financing the agricultural value chain and announced that 500,000 hectares of land had been mapped for agricultural use to increase the availability of arable land for farming. These steps, according to the government, are part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable food production and address the challenges of hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria.
