The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing food insecurity and ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
This was disclosed by the Hon. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, while hosting a delegation from the National Defence College, Kenya, led by Major General (Rtd) Stephen Mutuku, at his office in Abuja.
Sen. Abdullahi explained that the President had tasked the Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security with the critical mandate of addressing food insecurity. He emphasized that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the administration is determined to develop Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which is reflected in the rebranding of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This change, Abdullahi said, underscores the administration’s commitment to making food security a key focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister outlined the eight key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which include food security, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, and inclusivity. He stressed that food security is a central priority, and the administration is focused on fostering economic growth through diversification, with a special emphasis on creating jobs for Nigeria’s growing youth population. Abdullahi further noted the importance of inclusivity in agriculture, stating that involving women in various value chains would significantly increase productivity.
Additionally, the Minister expressed concern over post-harvest losses, which have contributed to low yields among Nigerian farmers. He affirmed that addressing this issue would help boost agricultural productivity.
Looking ahead to 2025, Abdullahi revealed that the Ministry will roll out more programs with specific targets, beneficiaries, and expected outcomes. He congratulated the delegation for being part of the National Defence College, a prestigious institution, and expressed his confidence that the visit would contribute to understanding national security strategies, including those related to food security.
Earlier, Major General (Rtd) Stephen Mutuku shared that the delegation, comprising Course No. 27, was visiting the western region of Africa to learn from Nigeria’s experiences in security and strategy. He underscored that food security was a central concern for the delegation, as it is integral to ensuring the success of any national security framework.
The event concluded with the presentation of a plaque and the National Defence College Newsletter to the Hon. Minister of State.
