By Abdullahi Lukman
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has raised the alarm over the devastating impact of insecurity on agriculture, warning that Nigeria’s food supply is under serious threat.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ribadu said insecurity has affected between 120 and 150 million Nigerians — the majority of whom rely on farming for their livelihoods.
“Agriculture is the biggest victim of insecurity. Nigerians are largely farmers or come from farming backgrounds, so when insecurity hit, it disrupted lives, livelihoods, and food production,” Ribadu said.
The agreement aims to boost agribusiness and support communities affected by terrorism and violent extremism.
Ribadu stressed that rebuilding agriculture is crucial not just for economic recovery but also for national stability.
He called for a comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity, one that includes addressing poverty, joblessness, and social exclusion.
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“Military action alone cannot solve this. We must support people with real opportunities so they can return to their farms and live in peace,” he stated.
Ribadu also warned that if left unchecked, the security crisis could destabilize the entire nation, citing the collapse of neighboring Sahel countries due to insurgency.
“We are the only country still standing strong in the Sahel — barely. We need urgent action,” he said.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, supported the initiative and called for a shift from a military-centered response to one focused on agricultural development.
“We want tractors to replace armoured tanks and milking machines to replace machine guns,” Maiha said.
“People who are productively engaged won’t be vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups.”
The officials emphasized that food security and peace are interconnected, and urged collective efforts to restore farming communities and safeguard the nation’s future.
