Nigeria agricultural stakeholders demand increased funding to combat food insecurity

Stakeholders in Nigeria's agricultural sector are calling for increased public investment and more timely budget releases to combat food insecurity and stimulate economic growth. During a three-day consultative meeting in Lagos focused on the 2027 AgriFood Systems Budget, participants noted that despite recent allocation increases, Nigeria's public spending remains below the continental commitment to devote at least 10 percent of public expenditure to agriculture.

In Imo State, officials have warned that the state's Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) faces potential extinction. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Chief Longers Anyanwu, cited the need for urgent revitalization to support rural development and mitigate insecurity. Challenges facing the state agency include the loss of lands to land grabbers, a lack of staff, and the non-payment of counterpart funding since 2011.