The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for greater support and assistance from the United Nations (UN) to bolster its efforts in achieving food security across the nation.
This appeal was made by Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, during a visit by Dr. Amina Mohammed, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Minister Kyari emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s partnership with the United Nations, particularly in light of the country’s large population and increasing demand for food security. He highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in conducting a National Agricultural Census aimed at advancing the country’s agricultural sector.
Kyari also noted the UN’s ongoing support through UNICEF, which is focused on fortifying food crops with essential nutrients to combat malnutrition and related health issues among children. However, he urged for additional assistance, particularly for programs like the Value Chain Development Programme and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, which are designed to enhance food production and create jobs in Nigeria.
In response, Dr. Amina Mohammed assured that the UN would continue to support Nigeria with a heightened sense of urgency, but stressed that the Nigerian government must also prioritize investments in critical areas to attract further external assistance. She pointed out challenges such as climate change, insecurity, inadequate financing, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as significant barriers to food productivity in the country.
Dr. Mohammed underscored the necessity of strong institutions to drive agricultural progress and pledged the UN’s commitment to help mitigate the impact of climate change on Nigeria’s agricultural production.
