Nigeria Shifts Focus to Domestic Agriculture to Curb Food Imports

Nigeria is taking decisive steps to reduce its heavy reliance on food imports as part of a broader strategy to achieve economic recovery and food security.

According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the government is implementing an aggressive plan to boost domestic agricultural production.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday in celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, Edun outlined the government’s intent to position agricultural self-sufficiency as a core element of its economic recovery plan.

“We should not be importing food,” Edun declared. “Nigeria’s future lies in self-sufficiency.”

His remarks reflect the government’s growing commitment to transforming the agricultural sector, particularly by supporting small-scale farmers with critical inputs such as seeds and fertilizer through initiatives like the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme.

The government’s strategy will focus on improving both wet and dry season harvests, aiming to reduce food imports in the short term while enhancing long-term productivity. As an interim measure, maize and wheat imports have been ordered to stabilize the food market, but Edun emphasized the need to strike a balance with local production.

“It is critical that we do not disrupt domestic production of food. It is critical that we do not disrupt farming in Nigeria by flooding the market with imports,” Edun warned.

The shift away from food imports is seen as both an economic and strategic necessity for the country. Nigeria has been grappling with rising food prices and an underperforming agricultural sector, which lags behind global standards in productivity.

Edun emphasized that the government’s long-term objective is to more than double agricultural output through improved farming practices and the use of better local seedlings. This agricultural drive is a key component of the government’s economic overhaul, which also includes navigating the recent removal of fuel subsidies.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, highlighted the growing pressures posed by the country’s rapidly increasing population. Bagudu pointed out that Nigeria’s population has nearly doubled from 119 million in 1999 to 230 million today, creating significant demand for infrastructure, education, and healthcare services.

“There are 230 million of us,” Bagudu said. “Not surprisingly, demand for government services, infrastructure, financing for education, and health services has grown significantly.”

While Nigeria’s population has surged, the economy has struggled to grow at the same pace, underscoring the urgency of the government’s agricultural and economic reforms.

With these new initiatives, the government hopes to pave the way for Nigeria to achieve food security and economic independence, significantly reducing its dependence on foreign imports.