By Kemi Akinseye
As Nigeria grapples with inflationary pressures, food insecurity and slow economic recovery, stakeholders are increasingly turning to agriculture as the country’s most viable pathway to stability. At a recent economic discourse in Lagos, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) underscored the sector’s central role not just in feeding the nation, but in anchoring macroeconomic balance and social cohesion.
Nigeria’s agricultural sector has been identified as a critical driver of economic recovery, macroeconomic stability and social cohesion, with experts urging urgent reforms to unlock its full potential.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, agriculture remains strategically vital in addressing the country’s pressing economic and food security challenges.
Speaking at an economic discourse in Lagos, FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain, stressed that agriculture is no longer just a sectoral concern but a national imperative with far-reaching implications for growth, inflation management and national security.
Delivering a keynote address themed “Food Security and Socioeconomic Stability: Options for Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector Rebound,” Gadain said the sector’s recovery is deeply tied to employment generation, food availability and overall economic resilience.
He explained that food security goes beyond agricultural output, describing it as a cornerstone of national security and social stability. Fragile food systems, he warned, continue to exacerbate poverty, disrupt livelihoods and drive inflation, particularly in the face of climate shocks, insecurity and rising production costs.
Gadain also highlighted structural imbalances in Nigeria’s agricultural trade, noting that between 2016 and 2019, imports significantly exceeded exports — a trend he said reflects missed opportunities in value addition and global competitiveness.
While export commodities such as sesame, cashew and cocoa remain strong, the country’s dependence on imports like wheat underscores the urgent need to boost domestic production and strengthen value chains.
Despite these challenges, he noted that Nigeria still maintains a substantial production base in key areas such as maize, rice, livestock and fisheries. However, he emphasized that productivity must be complemented by investments in storage, processing and market access to curb post-harvest losses and improve food distribution.
The FAO representative further identified persistent constraints, including insecurity in farming communities, climate variability, poor infrastructure and limited access to finance — particularly for smallholder farmers who account for over 80 per cent of producers and nearly 90 per cent of total output.
To reposition the sector, Gadain outlined strategic priorities such as scaling climate-smart agriculture, strengthening value chains, expanding rural financing, enhancing trade competitiveness and restoring peace in rural communities.
He also called for data-driven policies, stronger institutions and collaborative partnerships across stakeholders.
“Food security is far more than an agriculture outcome; it is a pillar of national security, macroeconomic stability, social cohesion and peace,” he said.
“Nigeria’s agricultural rebound is not simply a sectoral ambition; it is a national economic and social imperative.”
He added that transitioning from subsistence farming to sustainable, high-yield production supported by innovation and climate-smart technologies is essential for long-term growth.
“A sector cannot rebound without access to finance. Smallholders and agripreneurs need affordable credit, insurance and market linkages,” he said.
Gadain further noted that Nigeria is well positioned to become a regional hub for agro-processing and trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, provided there are deliberate investments in infrastructure, standards and competitiveness.
Ultimately, he maintained that agriculture holds the key to Nigeria’s food security, economic recovery and long-term social stability.
