With food insecurity threatening millions of Nigerians, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) are pushing for urgent policy reforms to stabilize the country’s agricultural sector and ensure food availability.

At a high-level meeting, FAO Nigeria Country Representative Dominique Koffy Kouacou and NESG executives underscored the need for innovative strategies to tackle major barriers to food security, including climate change, market access limitations, and weak agricultural infrastructure.

FAO and NESG stressed that beyond policy reforms, Nigeria must scale up investments in modern farming techniques, climate-smart agriculture, and cutting-edge technology to boost productivity. They also emphasized the role of stronger public-private partnerships and international collaborations in transforming the agricultural sector.

FAO and NESG also pointed to the importance of farmer education, advocating for widespread capacity-building initiatives to equip farmers with the knowledge and resources needed to mitigate climate-related disruptions and economic shocks.

Nigeria’s food crisis continues to worsen due to persistent challenges such as conflict, economic hardship, and climate change. According to a joint report by the Nigerian government and the United Nations, as of November 2024, approximately 24.8 million Nigerians faced food insecurity. Projections indicate that this figure could rise to 33 million by August 2025 if urgent action is not taken.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, FAO and NESG reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration through targeted policy advocacy, private sector engagement, and support for agribusinesses. They believe that by leveraging their combined expertise, they can drive sustainable agricultural growth and economic transformation.

“This partnership marks a significant step forward in addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, demonstrating the power of collaboration in creating lasting impact. Together, NESG and FAO are paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector,” NESG stated.

Beyond the FAO-NESG partnership, other international organizations are also stepping up efforts to boost food security in Nigeria. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently signed a $12 million grant agreement to implement the Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Project (REWARD), aimed at strengthening rice production across Nigeria and West Africa.

With millions of Nigerians at risk of hunger, stakeholders agree that urgent, coordinated action is needed to reform agricultural policies, enhance food production systems, and secure the country’s future food supply.