Nigeria is set to significantly reduce its reliance on food imports, with Minister of Finance Wale Edun outlining a bold strategy to boost domestic agricultural production and increase food security.
Edun emphasized that Nigeria’s future lies in self-sufficiency, stating that the era of heavy food importation must end. The government will support small-scale farmers through initiatives like the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme, providing critical inputs such as seeds and fertilizers.
The strategy aims to enhance both wet and dry season harvests, reducing the need for imports in the short term while boosting productivity in the long term. As an immediate measure, the government has ordered maize and wheat imports to stabilize the food market.
However, Edun stressed the importance of balancing imports with domestic production to avoid disrupting farming in Nigeria. The long-term goal is to more than double agricultural productivity through improved local seedlings and better farming practices.
Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, noted that the country’s growing population poses a significant challenge. With Nigeria’s population doubling from 119 million in 1999 to 230 million today, demand for infrastructure, education, and healthcare has surged.
The drive to boost agriculture forms part of a broader economic overhaul, addressing the impact of recent fuel subsidy removals and positioning Nigeria for economic independence and food security.
