Nearly two years after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security, experts say the food crisis in Nigeria has worsened rather than improved, with soaring prices and widespread hunger. In July 2023, Tinubu’s administration promised swift interventions to combat rising food costs, insecurity in farming regions, and low agricultural productivity. The government outlined plans to increase crop production, support livestock transformation, subsidize inputs, implement mechanization programs, and enhance security in agricultural areas.
However, nearly two years later, food prices have continued to skyrocket, making basic meals unaffordable for many Nigerians. The latest Cadre Harmonisé (CH) report, published in November 2024, forecasts that approximately 33.1 million Nigerians will face acute food and nutrition insecurity by mid-2025.
Experts Criticize Policy Failures
Despite the emergency declaration, experts point to persistent insecurity, food inflation, floods, and high fuel prices as factors undermining government efforts. Professor Uche Amalu, an agronomy expert from the University of Calabar, accused the government of paying lip service to the crisis.
“Food security is not just about production; it means ensuring food is available, accessible, and affordable while maintaining environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, Nigeria has failed to prioritize food security in its budget”.
He noted that Nigeria had not met the 10% budgetary allocation for agriculture as outlined in the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security. Instead, he argued, the government has focused on imported foods, many of which are genetically modified (GMOs), rather than investing in local agricultural production.
Amalu urged the government to “walk the talk” by translating policy announcements into real action. He advocated for Low-Input Agricultural Technology (LIAT), a cost-effective farming approach that supports resource-poor farmers.
Farmers Demand Better Implementation
The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc Kabir Ibrahim, acknowledged the government’s commitment to food security but emphasized that much remains to be done.
“To achieve sustainable food security, we must curb insecurity, reduce post-harvest losses, mitigate climate change effects, and provide subsidies on agricultural inputs,” Ibrahim stated.
He stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, proper food distribution, and government support to stabilize food prices. Similarly, Chief Daniel Okafor, President of the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), criticized the execution of government policies. While he acknowledged the good intentions behind the emergency declaration, he pointed out significant flaws in its implementation.
Government’s Policy Missteps
In July 2024, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities to address shortages. However, the policy timeframe expired without implementation, further exacerbating food insecurity. Experts argue that without concrete grassroots-driven solutions, improved budgetary allocation, and robust monitoring, the food crisis will continue to escalate.
“The emergency declaration should be amplified with proper implementation, continuous monitoring, and timely evaluation of all food security programs,” Ibrahim added.
With millions of Nigerians at risk of hunger, analysts stress that addressing food security requires urgent, practical interventions not just policy announcements.
