Why Nigeria Struggles to Feed Its Citizens Despite Strong Agricultural Output
Story:
Nigeria boasts vast arable land and one of the largest agricultural workforces in Africa, yet millions of its citizens continue to face food insecurity. Experts say the paradox lies not in production capacity, but in weak supply chains, poor storage facilities, and rising costs that prevent food from reaching households affordably.
Recent reports highlight that while the country produces large volumes of staples such as rice, maize, yam, and cassava, much of the harvest is lost to post-harvest wastage due to inadequate infrastructure. Farmers often struggle with bad roads, lack of cold storage, and limited access to processing facilities — making it difficult to move food from rural farms to urban markets.
Inflation has further deepened the crisis. The surge in fuel prices, insecurity in food-producing regions, and unstable foreign exchange rates have driven the cost of transporting and distributing food to record highs, leaving ordinary Nigerians unable to afford basic meals.
Analysts warn that unless Nigeria invests heavily in agricultural modernization, logistics, and food security policies, the country risks worsening hunger despite being capable of feeding itself.
Stakeholders argue that improving storage facilities, securing farmlands, expanding credit to farmers, and reducing transportation bottlenecks will be key to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural strength into genuine food security by 2026.
