Nigeria not at risk of food scarcity, Agric Minister assures amid rising concerns

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Abdullahi, has dismissed fears of an impending food crisis, assuring Nigerians that the country is not at risk of scarcity.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday night, Abdullahi insisted that while food prices have surged, the availability of food itself has never been in question.

“Nigeria is not at risk of food scarcity; it has not been and will never be, by the grace of God,” the Minister declared. “When you talk about scarcity, it means food is not available at all—that is not the case in Nigeria.”

The Minister attributed Nigeria’s food challenges not to an actual shortage but to macroeconomic factors affecting affordability. He stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognizes the critical importance of food security, citing the state of emergency on food security declared just two months into the President’s tenure.

To reinforce food supply, Abdullahi pointed to the Federal Government’s grain reserves and the adoption of the buffer stock strategy by several states. These initiatives, he explained, serve as safety nets to ensure food availability across the country.

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On the issue of rice production, Abdullahi emphasized that Nigeria has made significant strides in meeting domestic demand. However, he noted that many Nigerians still prefer imported rice despite local options being readily available.

“We have gone really far in meeting demand for rice production in this country. The local rice we produce is sufficient, but our taste buds have a preference for imported ones,” he remarked.

While acknowledging the rising cost of food, the Minister reassured Nigerians that President Tinubu is actively working to stabilize food prices and ensure affordability.

“The goal is to bring food prices to a level where every Nigerian can eat whatever kind of food they want,” Abdullahi stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to tackling inflation and strengthening the country’s agricultural resilience.

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