Insecurity, Climate Change Threaten Nigeria’s Food Security – Stakeholders

By Iyojo Ameh

Stakeholders at the Media and Technology for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Africa conference, organized by the Centre for Journalism and Innovation Development (CJID) in Abuja, have identified insecurity and climate change as the greatest threats to food security in Nigeria.

They called on the federal government to take urgent measures to address these challenges.

Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), expressed concerns over the negative impact of insecurity and climate change on agricultural productivity.

He noted that many farmers are abandoning their farmlands due to security threats, while those who continue to farm are struggling with reduced yields caused by climate-induced floods.

“Floods wash away a significant portion of our crops, leaving farmers with little to harvest. These challenges require the adoption of international best practices to mitigate their effects,” Ibrahim said. He urged every geopolitical zone to focus on cultivating staple crops suited to their region to enhance food production.

Adding her voice to the discussion, Ms. Ogechi Okebugwu, Programme Coordinator of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), highlighted the vulnerability of women farmers to climate change. She warned soon, many women farmers may face significant challenges due to limited knowledge about climate change.

“It is imperative for relevant agencies to educate and empower women with information and resources to adapt to the changing climate. Women, who make up a large percentage of farmers, bear the brunt of these challenges,” Okebugwu emphasized.

She urged the government to prioritize solutions to insecurity and climate change to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers, particularly women, who play a critical role in the nation’s agricultural sector.

The conference called for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions to ensure food security in Nigeria.