Abdullahi: Tinubu is committed to ensuring no Nigerian goes to bed hungry

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, has expressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to ensure no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

Abdullahi  stated this on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

He stated that “the Renewed Hope Agenda prioritizes food security, positioning agriculture as a core driver of Nigeria’s economy.

“The sector is expected to significantly contribute to economic growth, poverty alleviation and gender equality.”

As gathered by the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM),  the Abdullahi said, Tinubu’s government has put in place programs to ensure food security in the country, since its inauguration in May 2023.

“President Tinubu is deeply invested in addressing Nigeria’s food security crisis.”

“He recognized the critical impact of food on the country’s economy and citizens’ well-being.”

According to Abdullahi, Tinubu on many occasions reminds the ministry his goal to bring Nigeria to a place where no one starves.

“We acknowledge the challenge and are diligently working towards achieving our objectives.,” Abdullahi said.

“Food prices in Nigeria have skyrocketed in recent years, affecting millions of people and pushing many beyond their financial limits.”

Abdullahi stated that the Federal Government and subnational authorities have responded with various measures, including distributing palliatives to alleviate the suffering.

“The president pledged to reinforce security measures to protect farmers and farms, fostering a secure environment for agricultural production.”

The minister emphasized the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ongoing commitment to funding the agricultural value chain, recognizing its vital role in driving economic growth.

“To boost agricultural productivity, the CBN has mapped out 500,000 hectares of land to increase arable land availability for farming.”

Know about Abdullahi

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi is a Nigerian politician and veterinary surgeon.

He was born on January 10, 1967.

He currently serves as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, a position he assumed on August 21, 2023.

Prior to his appointment, Abdullahi had a distinguished career in the National Assembly, representing Niger North Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023.

During his tenure, he held the position of Deputy Chief Whip and Chairman of the Niger State Caucus.

In the 8th Senate, Abdullahi was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs and the Senate’s Spokesman, a notable achievement for a first-term senator.

He was also a strong advocate for education and human capital development, sponsoring over 100 bills and motions, including the Federal University of Education Bill, 2020, which became law in December 2021.

Abdullahi’s political career was marked by several electoral victories, including his win in the March 28, 2015.

He won Niger North Senatorial District Election and his re-election in the February 2019 Niger North Senatorial District election, where he polled 161,420 votes

For his contributions to the nation, Abdullahi received the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022.

Navigating Nigeria’s Food Security Conundrum: Challenges and Solutions by Adeshua Victoria

Food security is a pressing concern in Nigeria, with millions of people struggling to access sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

As Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria faces numerous challenges in ensuring food security, including chronic undernourishment, severe food insecurity, malnutrition, climate change, gender inequality, and food loss and waste.

The state of food insecurity in Nigeria is alarming, with an estimated 22 million people experiencing persistent hunger between 2019 and 2021, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Furthermore, approximately 39 million Nigerians faced acute hunger in 2020, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge.

Malnutrition remains a significant concern, particularly among children.

About 2.6 million children under the age of five suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2020.

Climate change poses additional hurdles to Nigeria’s food security, with erratic rainfall patterns, increased frequency of droughts, and land degradation affecting agricultural productivity and food production.

Gender disparities persist within the agricultural sector, limiting women’s access to resources, finance, and decision-making opportunities.

Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, involving sustainable agricultural practices, supporting smallholder farmers, strengthening value chains, and improving post-harvest handling and storage systems.

Following strategies can be employed to address food insecurity in Nigeria:

Short-term solutions

Immediate humanitarian assistance: Providing emergency food aid to vulnerable populations.

Conflict resolution: Addressing ongoing conflicts to reduce displacement and promote agricultural activities.

Long-term solutions

Sustainable agricultural practices: Promoting climate-resilient agriculture, precision farming, and agroforestry.

Empowering women farmers: Providing training, credit facilities, and market access to women farmers.

Investing in infrastructure: Developing modern storage facilities and processing technologies.

Climate-smart agriculture: Implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices and investing in sustainable land management.

Food waste reduction: Improving infrastructure, technology, and consumer awareness to reduce food waste and increase efficiency.

By prioritizing sustainable agriculture, empowering women, investing in infrastructure, and promoting innovative solutions, Nigeria can make significant progress towards ensuring food security and improving the well-being of its population.

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