Presidency Adopts Multipronged Measures to Combat Food Insecurity
Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant move to address soaring food prices and general food insecurity, the Nigerian government has engaged with states, development partners, and other critical stakeholders. Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU) on Friday, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to tackling hunger and hardship.
The inauguration, which took place following a presentation by Marion Moon, the Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture, marks a strategic effort under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to enhance food security.
Addressing the assembly, which included governors, cabinet ministers, and representatives of development partners, Vice President Shettima underscored the urgent need to address the food security crisis. “Food insecurity endangers the very basis of our democratic experiment,” he said. “This crisis also provides an opportunity to re-engineer and reposition the nation.”
The PFSCU is designed to harness the ideas and resources of all stakeholders, complementing rather than usurping the functions of the Ministry of Agriculture. Vice President Shettima highlighted the Green Imperative Programme as a key initiative for agricultural industrialization that the PFSCU must prioritize.
State governors presented plans to modernize farming practices, increase crop yields, and transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient food producer. Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State emphasized the need for modernization to feed the population. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum called for a coordinated approach, citing low productivity and population growth as significant challenges. Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi highlighted the state’s fertile lands and the need for political will to drive food security efforts. Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago proposed his state as a pilot for the food security initiative, detailing significant investments in agricultural mechanization.
The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Patricia Obila, discussed leveraging the state’s topography and enhancing Ebonyi Rice production through mechanization and youth participation.
Donor representatives, led by Dominique Koffy Kouacou of the Food and Agricultural Organisation, pledged their support for the government’s efforts. Kouacou commended the commitment of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, assuring that donors are fully on board.
The meeting also featured key figures such as Agriculture Minister Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, ALGON National President Hon. Maifata Aminu Mu’azu, and NADF Executive Secretary Muhammed Abu Ibrahim. Industry leaders, including the CEO of Flour Mills of Nigeria, Omoboyede Olusanya, and SaroAfrica MD Rasheed Sarunmi, also participated, alongside representatives from the World Bank.
This collaborative approach aims to create a sustainable and resilient food system, addressing the immediate crisis while laying the groundwork for long-term food security in Nigeria.
