Nigeria agricultural development and food security

Agricultural initiatives in Nigeria have focused on integrating research with practical production to address food security and climate change. Early efforts emphasized biotechnology and sustainable development, including state-level plans to establish Cross River State as a global coffee producer.

Recent developments have seen the formal validation of a 2026–2030 climate-resilient livelihoods strategy in Adamawa State. Developed with the FAO and ICRISAT, this framework targets internally displaced persons, returnees, and vulnerable host communities through climate-smart agriculture, soil fertility management, and improved financial access for women. To bridge the gap between research and application, the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) have engaged seed companies to scale up hybrid crops developed by CGIAR research centres.

To mark World Food Day, stakeholders are now calling for systemic reforms to enhance food sovereignty. The FAO has launched the Nigeria Chapter of the World Food Forum to empower youth-led solutions. Experts are emphasizing the need for increased investment in modern storage, efficient supply chains, and agricultural technology to mitigate post-harvest losses.

There is a growing push to prioritize indigenous food production and the protection of native seeds to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on food imports, which reached N7.6 trillion in 2025. Organizations like the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) have warned against the risks of monoculture and foreign seed dependence, advocating for agroecology and farmers' rights. Additionally, sector leaders are calling for improved infrastructure, such as hatcheries and subsidized poultry feeds, to bolster local livestock production.