Dear Nigerian Farmers,
Let us unite for a food-secure and prosperous Nigeria!
Let us unite for a food-secure and prosperous Nigeria!
Nigeria stands on the verge of a significant food insecurity crisis if we do not act decisively, particularly in light of the macroeconomic instability driven by currency volatility, insecurity, climate change, and inequality. While I do not intend to foster despair, it is crucial to recognize that achieving food sufficiency for all Nigerians by the first quarter of 2025 is vital for the sustainability of our nation. I speak from a deep sense of commitment, having dedicated much of my 66 years to agricultural advocacy.
In 2024, we witnessed various initiatives aimed at stabilizing Nigeria’s food system, providing essential support to smallholder farmers (SHFs), micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), small-scale producers (SSPs), and vulnerable populations. However, food inflation continues to soar at an alarming rate of 39.93%, posing a serious threat of hunger for many Nigerians. In 2025, it is imperative that we come together as stakeholders and farmers, collaborating closely with the government to liberate Nigeria from the clutches of hunger and extreme poverty.
This collective effort requires us to operate as a unified body with shared interests and a common purpose. In the first quarter of 2025, specifically around mid-February, we will host the Agribusiness Presidential Round Table (PRT) under the auspices of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG). This event will serve as a critical call to action for all sector stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, service providers, food processors, commodity traders, academia, researchers, donor agencies, private sector representatives, and government bodies responsible for agriculture. Our goal is to reinvigorate Nigeria’s food system and, upon the successful convening of the PRT, NABG will develop an action strategy and implementation plan to achieve semi-food sufficiency by 2025, set medium-term goals for 2027, and ultimately attain sustainable food security by 2030.
While these objectives may appear ambitious, they are indeed feasible through our collective determination to confront our country’s pressing challenges. This, in my view, represents the true essence of the renewed hope agenda!
Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, FNIA
President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG)
National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN)
Chairman BOT, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN)
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