Dr. Ashimashiga Michael Akoloaga, founder and chairman of Eden Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited, has called on the Federal Government to urgently ramp up local production of organic fertiliser and moringa as a strategic response to Nigeria’s growing food crisis.
Speaking at the weekend in Nyanya, Abuja, during the opening of Moringa House, Akoloaga warned that many Nigerian farmers are currently stranded due to a severe shortage of chemical fertiliser. He attributed the scarcity to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which he said has severely disrupted global fertiliser supply chains.
As of April 2026, an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has halted shipments of essential nutrients and raw materials, triggering sharp price spikes – particularly for nitrogen-based fertilisers critical to crop yields, Akoloaga explained.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the conflict is clouding sub-Saharan Africa’s economic outlook as prices of oil, gas and fertiliser continue to climb. According to IMF estimates, a 20 per cent rise in international food prices could push more than 20 million people in the region into moderate or severe food insecurity.
Against this backdrop, Akoloaga cautioned that the Middle East crisis will hurt Nigeria’s food production unless the government backs homegrown organic fertiliser. He stressed that Dangote Refineries alone cannot meet the fertiliser demand of Nigerian farmers.
He also decried unfavourable policies toward private enterprises, urging the government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, generate jobs and reduce insecurity.
Highlighting moringa’s potential for health, wellness and income generation, Akoloaga argued that Nigeria cannot overcome poverty, unemployment and health challenges without deliberate investment in moringa products.
“There are many sicknesses orthodox medicines cannot cure that herbal products like moringa can address,” he said.
In a related development, Professor Samuel Eduviere, founder of Segom International, called on the government to partner with Eden Moringa Productions and implement policies that drive economic growth. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to work with the Eden Moringa Group to create mass employment for youth and women while improving citizens’ health and economic wellbeing.
Similarly, Dr Ignatius Onah, a pharmacist, urged both government and citizens to return to natural herbal products such as moringa. He underscored the need for “defensive nutrition” and noted that dietary habits are a major driver of illness, pointing out the limitations of orthodox medicine.
