By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Nigeria is set to significantly cut down on food imports as part of an ambitious new strategy to bolster domestic agricultural production, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has said.
He spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
The event was part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day
Edun emphasized that reducing the nation’s reliance on imported food is critical to the government’s broader economic recovery and growth agenda.
Edun outlined the government’s focus on empowering small-scale farmers by providing essential inputs such as seeds and fertilizer through programs like the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme. This initiative aims to enhance both wet and dry season harvests, thus increasing food production and gradually reducing the need for imports.
The immediate importation of maize and wheat has been authorized to stabilize food prices, but Edun cautioned against allowing these imports to undermine domestic farming. “It is essential that we do not disrupt local food production by overwhelming the market with imports,” he remarked, underscoring the balance the government seeks to maintain between short-term market needs and long-term food security.
Edun framed the move toward self-sufficiency not just as an economic necessity but as a strategic decision critical to Nigeria’s future. “We should not be importing food,” he asserted, expressing confidence that Nigeria’s path to economic resilience lies in strengthening its agricultural sector.
Amid rising food prices and an underperforming agricultural sector, the government aims to more than double agricultural productivity by improving farming techniques and local seed varieties. This agricultural push is part of a larger economic overhaul that includes managing the fallout from the recent removal of fuel subsidies.
Adding to the discussion, Abubakar Bagudu, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and National Planning highlighted the pressures of a rapidly growing population. With the population expanding from 119 million in 1999 to 230 million today, demand for public services and infrastructure has surged. Bagudu noted that while population growth has been rapid, economic expansion has not kept pace, stressing the need for more comprehensive development to meet these demands.
This bold approach is designed to drive both food security and broader economic independence, positioning Nigeria for a more sustainable future.