Abuja: The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria requires at least 25 million tonnes of maize annually to satisfy national demand and bolster food security. This declaration was made by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, during a Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement meeting held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Abdullahi emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing local production to reduce reliance on food imports. “Our focus is on expanding local production so affordable and nutritious food becomes accessible to every Nigerian,” he stated. The minister also highlighted that ongoing interventions are positively affecting market trends, with significant reductions in the prices of essential food commodities across the nation.
“Our efforts are paying off. Prices of major food commodities have dropped by about 50 per cent across the country,” Abdullahi noted. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving food security and addressing high input costs to maintain an affordable food supply. The minister also spoke about strategic investments in agricultural value chains, which aim to position Nigeria as a major player in the global agricultural market.
Abdullahi outlined the government’s prioritization of rice, maize, and wheat value chains, which creates opportunities for millions of smallholder farmers and other stakeholders. He stated that the ministry is aligning policies with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to achieve food sovereignty, with a clear goal that Nigeria must produce what it consumes.
Reforms aimed at transforming the nation’s agricultural landscape and boosting production of priority crops are currently being implemented by the ministry. Abdullahi urged stakeholders to collaborate closely with state agriculture ministries to enhance productivity on a national scale. “Together we can transform Nigeria’s food system and ensure sustainable agricultural growth for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he asserted.
The engagement meeting was described by Abdullahi as a testament to the ministry’s commitment to transparency, open governance, and inclusive collaboration. “This platform underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping sound policies and ensuring effective implementation,” he said, adding that the initiative will fortify collaboration to keep food available, accessible, and affordable across the country.