By Abdullahi Lukman
ActionAid Nigeria has warned that the country is facing a worsening food crisis, calling on the Federal Government to implement urgent, coordinated measures to protect vulnerable communities and restore agricultural productivity.
The warning came in a communiqué issued after the organisation’s General Assembly in Abuja, where members reviewed the state of the nation.
Chairperson of the Board, Ms Rabi Isma, attributed rising food prices to growing insecurity in food-producing regions, especially the North Central, where farming activities have been severely disrupted by ongoing violence.
Despite the government’s declaration of a national emergency on food security, ActionAid noted there has been no meaningful policy shift, increased funding, or actionable implementation to address the crisis.
The organisation urged the government to immediately scale up food and livelihood interventions in food-insecure and conflict-affected areas.
These interventions, according to Isma, should include direct food aid, cash transfers, subsidised farm inputs, and dedicated support for women-led cooperatives. She stressed that any response must be community-driven, transparent, and free from political interference to ensure lasting impact.
ActionAid also called on the federal and state governments to protect both farmers and herders in order to maintain agricultural output and reduce conflict.
The organisation recommended declaring a state of emergency on security in affected states, particularly Benue and Plateau, to restore access to farmland.
The group emphasized the need for long-term investment in food security infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practices to reduce dependence on food imports and build resilience against climate-related shock.
