‘Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits further exacerbate the food insecurity crisis. Poorly maintained roads, inadequate railways, and insufficient storage facilities limit the movement of agricultural goods from farms to markets.’
DAKUKU PETERSIDE
Rising energy costs have also played a significant role in driving food insecurity. Agriculture, which relies heavily on mechanisation, transportation, and irrigation, is particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in fuel prices. The removal of Nigeria’s fuel subsidies in 2023 led to a sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices, making it more expensive to power farm machinery and transport goods. According to a 2023 report by the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the cost of transporting farm products from rural areas to urban centres increased by nearly 50% following the fuel price hike.
Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits further exacerbate the food insecurity crisis. Poorly maintained roads, inadequate railways, and insufficient storage facilities limit the movement of agricultural goods from farms to markets. For example, the roads connecting many farming regions in the North to major cities like Lagos and Abuja are often described as “death traps” due to their deplorable condition. A 2022 World Bank report estimated that 40% of Nigeria’s post-harvest losses are due to poor infrastructure, particularly the lack of storage facilities and bad roads. These losses reduce food availability and contribute to higher food prices, making it harder for people to access affordable nutrition.
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Nigeria has increasingly relied on food imports in response to the escalating food crisis. However, while this provides temporary relief, it is not a sustainable solution. Imports from countries with higher agricultural productivity and cheaper energy merely suppress domestic agriculture. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria spent over $5 billion on food imports in 2023, including rice, wheat, and maize. This reliance on imports undermines local production and exports job opportunities abroad, especially in rural areas where agriculture could be a significant employer.
By importing food, Nigeria effectively exports jobs, reducing local employment in the agricultural value chain and related industries. For instance, the importation of rice from Thailand and India contributed to the near collapse of the domestic rice industry, which once employed hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.
Furthermore, food imports compromise national security. A country that cannot feed itself is vulnerable to external shocks, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Ukraine war, which disrupted global supply chains. The lesson is clear: reliance on imports makes Nigeria susceptible to global crises, while self-reliance in food production is essential for long-term stability.
To address these challenges, Nigeria must create a sustainable agroecosystem that enhances comparative and competitive advantages in agriculture. This requires significant investments in critical sectors of the agricultural value chain. Fertilizers and agrochemicals, for example, are essential to boosting productivity, yet the supply of these inputs remains erratic and expensive. A 2023 report by the International Fertilizer Development Centre noted that Nigeria faces a 40% shortfall in fertilizer supply, contributing to lower crop yields…
