As Nigerians face record-high food prices and worsening food insecurity, the Federal Government has declared agriculture a national emergency priority.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has issued a rallying call for an agile, coordinated response to reposition the sector as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Agricultural Sector Working Group (ASWG) in Abuja, Edun said Nigeria must urgently shift from old methods to bold strategies for it to feed its people, grow its economy, and secure its future.
“We must act fast and smart,” Edun warned. “Agriculture is central to President Tinubu’s economic agenda. But without urgent reforms, food insecurity will continue to threaten millions of lives.”
The ASWG, which brings together stakeholders from across sectors, is being positioned as the central engine to drive national and regional agricultural targets, especially in line with the post-Malabo agenda. The goal: to boost local food production, open up new export markets, and ensure no Nigerian goes hungry.
The Director of informatrion and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement on Wednesday quoted the minister to have highlighted three critical areas of focus to include boosting productivity by investing in modern techniques and inputs, expanding access to finance for smallholder and commercial farmers and unlocking value-added exports to diversify the economy
“Food is not just a basic need, it’s a national asset,” he said. “We cannot afford to treat agricultural planning as business as usual.”
For rural farmers struggling with poor yields, lack of credit, and insecurity, the new approach could be a game-changer. But implementation remains key.
The Ministry of Finance, Edun assured, will provide the financial backbone to support robust agricultural investments, better data systems, and innovative partnerships with the private sector.
This renewed commitment comes at a critical moment, as Nigeria battles the ripple effects of global inflation, climate change, and insecurity—all of which have disrupted food systems.
“We are not just talking food security. We’re talking national survival,” Edun stressed.
As the ASWG sets to work, all eyes are now on how quickly the government can turn strategic intent into concrete impact—on farms, in markets, and on the tables of ordinary Nigerians.