Abuja: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), African Development Bank (AfDB), and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have released a landmark report that sets out a roadmap for revitalizing northern Nigeria’s food systems and identifies key policy, institutional, and investment actions to support agricultural recovery in regions affected by conflict.
According to EMM, the study, titled “Investing in Innovative Food Systems Solutions in Challenging Contexts,” comes at a crucial time for Nigeria, with at least 30.6 million people experiencing acute food insecurity amidst a severe hunger crisis. It outlines how innovative financing and strong public-private partnerships can strengthen food security and drive sustainable investment across the agricultural value chain in Nigeria’s most fragile regions.
Abdul Kamara, Director General for Nigeria at the African Development Bank (AfDB), emphasized the importance of reviving agriculture in northern Nigeria for the country’s food sovereignty. He stated that with targeted investment in inputs, storage, and infrastructure, livelihoods can be rebuilt, and inclusive economic growth can be driven across the region.
David Stevenson, WFP Country Director and Representative for Nigeria, noted that rebuilding northern Nigeria’s breadbasket requires more than emergency aid; it demands significant investments rooted in peace, resilience, and long-term recovery. He stressed that through strategic humanitarian solutions, a shift can be made from crisis response to production.
The study calls on stakeholders to enhance climate-smart agriculture, improve on-farm storage, upgrade rural roads, empower youth and women, and invest in resilient food systems. It concludes with real-world investment examples, such as airtight grain silos in Yobe and revitalizing wheat milling in Maiduguri, demonstrating both development impact and strong returns on investment.