By Faridat Salifu
As Nigeria grapples with escalating hunger levels, Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the private sector to enhance investments in the nation’s food system.
Speaking at the recent ‘Strategic Workshop on Agriculture and Food Security,’ organized by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Shettima emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to transform the food landscape.
Represented by Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Shettima highlighted the significant paradigm shift currently underway in Nigeria’s food system, spurred by the state of emergency declared on food production.
He referenced a recent $4.3 billion Memorandum of Understanding signed with Brazil, aimed at boosting fertilizer production, hybrid seed development, and agricultural credit lines.
“The private sector is the engine of economic growth in Nigeria,” Shettima stated, stressing the importance of agribusiness in transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s vast consumer base presents a unique opportunity for agribusiness profitability, advocating for a market-driven approach to ensure long-term food security.
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The Vice President reassured attendees of the government’s commitment to tackling the food crisis, emphasizing the need for climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming practices, and digital solutions to enhance resilience in the agricultural sector.
“We can build a prosperous, food-secure Nigeria where agriculture is a cornerstone of national development,” he added.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the essential role of the private sector in driving food production.
He noted that the Ministry is dedicated to creating policies and financing mechanisms that foster private investments.
During the workshop, Marion Moon, Executive Secretary of PFSCU, presented the urgent need for 3.6 million metric tonnes of food to adequately feed Nigeria’s population. She highlighted the necessity for strategic targets in food production and the importance of institutionalizing early warning systems to address food insecurity effectively.
Uchenna Ogbonna, Executive Director of the Ernest Shonekan Centre at NESG, stressed that private sector participation is vital for achieving food security.
He remarked that while Nigeria has the resources to produce sufficient food, collaboration between government and the private sector is essential to overcome the existing challenges in the agricultural landscape.
