Nigeria is preparing to curtail its heavy reliance on food imports as part of a bold new strategy aimed at boosting domestic agriculture and enhancing food security. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, laid out the government’s vision during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, marking the country’s 64th Independence Day.
“We should not be importing food,” Edun declared, framing the push for self-sufficiency as central to Nigeria’s economic recovery. The government’s plan, he said, hinges on empowering small-scale farmers through initiatives like the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme, which will provide essential inputs such as seeds and fertiliser.
The strategy, aimed at improving both wet and dry season harvests, seeks to reduce the need for imports in the near term while substantially increasing agricultural productivity over time. However, in a pragmatic move, Edun announced that Nigeria will still import maize and wheat to stabilise food markets, balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
“It is critical that we do not disrupt domestic production by flooding the market with imports,” he cautioned, underscoring the importance of nurturing local farming while addressing immediate food shortages. Edun framed the transition away from food imports as not only an economic imperative but a vital step toward securing Nigeria’s future. “This is not where we should be,” he said, emphasising that food self-sufficiency is essential to the country’s economic independence.
His remarks come amid a backdrop of rising food prices and an underperforming agricultural sector, which currently lags far behind global productivity standards. To address these issues, the government aims to more than double agricultural yields by improving access to high-quality seedlings and promoting better farming practices.
This drive forms a cornerstone of the broader economic overhaul Nigeria is undertaking, including adjustments to its fuel subsidy regime. The challenge of feeding Nigeria’s rapidly growing population—now at 230 million, up from 119 million in 1999—adds urgency to the reforms.
Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, highlighted this demographic pressure, noting that while the population has nearly doubled in the last 25 years, the economy has not expanded at the same pace. “There are 230 million of us now,” Bagudu remarked, “and the demand for services like infrastructure, education, and healthcare has surged accordingly.”
As Nigeria grapples with these complex challenges, Edun’s call to reduce food imports represents a pivotal moment in the country’s bid to achieve greater economic autonomy.
