Nigeria Seeks Stronger UN Partnership to Tackle Food Security Challenges
Nigeria has called for a more robust partnership with the United Nations to address the pressing challenges of sustainable agricultural development and food security. This appeal was made in Abuja on Tuesday during the visit of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Amina Mohammed, who engaged with key stakeholders in the country’s agriculture sector.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for the pivotal role the United Nations has played in its development. Welcoming Mohammed, he emphasised the critical need for continued and strengthened collaboration. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome our sister, Dr. Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, to Nigeria. We are here to discuss the mutual partnership Nigeria has with the United Nations in the agriculture and food security sector, and our efforts towards delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, as well as our strategies for the next four years,” Kyaristated.
Kyari highlighted the significance of this partnership in light of Nigeria’s large and growing population, which has led to an increasing demand for food security. “Given our large population and the rising demand for food security, Nigeria’s partnership with the United Nations is crucial to meet the significant consumption demands both in the immediate and long-term,” he noted.
The minister also underscored how the ministry’s mandate aligns with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, which prioritises food security, economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication. He acknowledged the long-standing cooperation between Nigeria and various UN organisations, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Nigeria’s commitment to these partnerships, Kyari explained, is demonstrated through its financial contributions to these bodies. “Nigeria has been actively collaborating with international partners and fulfilling its financial obligations to FAO, IFAD, UNDP, UNIDO, ILO, WFP, IOM, and others, to enhance food production and ensure that multilateral institutions support the resilience of Nigeria’s food systems with sustainable interventions in the agriculture sector,” he said.
Kyari further sought additional support for critical programmesaimed at boosting food production and improving rural livelihoods, particularly in northern Nigeria. He highlighted projects like the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project – Niger Delta, which focuses on enhancing income, food security, and job creation for rural youth and women through agribusiness development.
The minister expressed optimism that Dr. Mohammed’s visit would mark a new chapter in the Nigeria-UN partnership. Mohammed, in turn, acknowledged the severity of Nigeria’s food security crisis, exacerbated by domestic challenges and global disruptions. “We are focusing on those most affected, and food security is a priority, especially for smallholder farmers who have been displaced,” Mohammed stated.
She stressed the UN’s commitment to supporting Nigeria, both in planning to meet the needs of displaced populations and in addressing the underlying security issues that contribute to food insecurity. “The UN is helping with planning so that we can continue to support those displaced while also addressing the country’s security challenges,” she added.
The food security crisis in Nigeria has been intensified by rising commodity prices, making basic necessities increasingly unaffordable for many. Mohammed acknowledged the complexity of the situation and the significant time and resources required to resolve it. “It is not easy; it will not happen overnight. There are many interests to resolve, as we see across the continent,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Mohammed expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s strategy to manage the crisis effectively, provided it receives adequate support.
