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Why Nigeria is yet to be food secured – Prof. Miko
Nasiru Yusuf
A University Lecturer with Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture in Bayero University, Kano, BUK, Sani Miko has listed factors responsible for why Nigeria is yet to be food secured.
KANO FOCUS reports that Miko who categorized the factors into Internal and external policy challenges undermining the nation’s food security, said they include inadequate funding for the agricultural sector, threat of climate change for sustainable agriculture, insecurity of agricultural land and investments, insufficient value addition and agro-industrial processing facilities and low agricultural export among others.
The Varsity Don stated this while delivering a paper titled, “Policy Challenges To Food Security in Nigeria” during an annual Ramadan lecture organized by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria National Headquarters in Kano.
According to him, “Indeed, there are numerous challenges that prevented the Nigerian agricultural sector from attaining its full potential. They can be categorized into Internal and external policy challenges undermining food security in the country. The chief among them are as follows:
“Inadequate funding for the agricultural sector. Funding is inadequate to drive agricultural development in Nigeria. Achieving agricultural transformation would require funding beyond what the current budgetary allocation would provide. Over the years, Agriculture receives low investment from both State and Federal Governments. Example, Federal Government made budgetary allocation of between 1.3% and 3.4% to Agriculture in annual budget from the year, 2000 to 2007. In the year 2017, combined expenditure of the federal and state governments showed they spent only 1 .8 percent of their total annual budget to agriculture.
“Threat of Climate Change for Sustainable agriculture. This is negatively affecting the Nigerian agricultural sector while the policy response and the needed interventions to mitigate the impact has remained largely ad-hoc. Another factor is insecurity of Agricultural land and investments which is currently posing greater risk to agricultural production, processing, marketing and delivery of essential services. The menace of Boko Haram, Banditry and communal, farmers and pastoralists conflicts have devastated livelihoods and investments of hundreds of farming and pastoral communities.
“Low level of agricultural mechanization. The availability and accessibility of macro and micro mechanization equipment such as tractors, power tillers, planters, combine harvesters and others needed for land preparation and other agricultural activities is very low in the country. Another factor is inadequate rural Infrastructure. The capacity of the rural communities for massive agricultural production and on-farm processing has been constrained by inadequate road networks, power supply, irrigation infrastructure, storage and processing facilities.
“Poor extension services delivery: With an average of 1:10,000 extensions to farmer ratio across the country, farmers receive limited guidance and training in technology adoption. Also, limited access to affordable credit is another factor where farmers grapple with limited access to finance and high interest rates even with the interventions by the CBN.
“Similarly, issue of ineffectual synergy which relates to ineffective policy formulation and implementation structures at intra and inter-federal Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and weak synergy between federal and states MDAs. This has led to persistent inter and intra-agency rivalry in the sector.
“However, given the interdependent nature of international economic relations, it is unlikely that a country like Nigeria would be able to achieve its food security goal using its internal dynamics alone. For any country to be able to achieve its food security goal, it would need to think and act both locally and globally.
“This would need an adjustment of its relations with international, regional, and sub-regional institutions like the FAO, the European Union (EU), and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It would also require seeking the understanding and support of some countries, which may be negatively affected by some agricultural, food, and fiscal policies of Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Society for Family Health has appointed Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf as Group Director, Impact Partnership and Engagement, as well as Managing Director of RevoHealth HMO Ltd., in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare access and sustainable health systems across Nigeria and Africa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced on the organisation’s official Facebook page on Saturday.
According to SFH, the new leadership appointment signals the beginning of a fresh phase focused on improving impact, expanding access to healthcare services, and advancing sustainable health transformation initiatives across the continent.
The organisation stated that the appointment reflects its commitment to building integrated health systems and promoting innovative platforms in healthcare financing, workforce development, advisory services, and sustainable health interventions.
SFH expressed confidence that Yusuf’s leadership would further strengthen the organisation’s impact and deliver lasting value to communities across Nigeria and beyond.
Yusuf is a seasoned public health professional with more than 18 years of experience in the design and implementation of public health, social marketing, and health systems strengthening programmes in Nigeria.
He is widely recognised as a health systems expert, health economist, programme management specialist, and community engagement practitioner, with extensive experience in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), HIV/AIDS, malaria, child survival, and nutrition interventions.
He has also built strong technical expertise across the family planning and maternal, newborn and child health continuum, while leading large and complex teams on multiple development programmes.
Yusuf possesses strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills, having worked closely with senior government officials, lawmakers, and influential traditional and religious leaders to drive institutional and behavioural changes that support effective programme implementation.
A seasoned trainer, Yusuf has trained various cadres of health professionals and is known for his practical expertise in participatory community engagement approaches.
He holds a degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Health Economics from Bayero University Kano, as well as an MSc in Microbiology from University of Abuja.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A former Governor of Kano State Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for ordering a fresh investigation into the disappearance of activist and lecturer Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday following recent testimony by a former aide to an ex-state governor, who allegedly claimed that police officers were responsible for Dadiyata’s disappearance in Kaduna.
Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator, was abducted in 2019, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
According to Kwankwaso, he and his associates have consistently advocated for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
He described the Inspector-General’s directive for a comprehensive investigation as a “decisive and long-overdue action,” expressing hope that the process would uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
The former governor also urged police authorities to place individuals named in the allegations under close surveillance to prevent interference with the investigation.
Kwankwaso further called on the government to ensure that Dadiyata, if found alive, and his family receive adequate compensation for the trauma and hardship they have endured over the years.
He commended members of the public for sustaining advocacy efforts on the case and also praised Abba Hikima Fagge for what he described as his important role in the latest developments surrounding the investigation.
Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the renewed probe would ultimately deliver truth and justice in the case.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
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Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
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