Opinion
LINGERING FOOD CRISES AND THE BAD GOVERNANCE PROTEST: NEED FOR ECONOMIC PLANNING
By Adamu Lawal Toro
Nigeria is faced with food crisis that manifests in several ways. Despite being one of Africa’s largest agricultural producers, the nation faces severe food shortages, high prices, and widespread hunger. Factors contributing to this crisis include:
Insecurity and insurgency activities, particularly by Boko Haram in the North-East and banditry in the North-West that have disrupted farming activities, displaced farmers, and reduced food production.
Climate change with erratic weather patterns, floods, and droughts that are adversely affecting crop yields.
Poor infrastructure that hampers adequate transportation networks and poor storage facilities lead to significant post-harvest losses.
Policy failures and inconsistencies of agricultural policies with lack of support for smallholder farmers that will productivity.
It was in July last year that Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency to tackle the rising costs of food and its perceived shortages in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal. Under the state of emergency, food and water availability was directly put under the purview of national security council.
The council was charged with the responsibility to provide protection to farmers, many of whom have abandoned their farms as a result of the deteriorating security situation that is threatening their existence, loss of livelihood, endangered their traditional life savings through cattle rustling, banditry and kidnapping for ransom. To ensure the nation’s food security and make more food available and affordable, the government announced that some of the money that is being saved by the removal of fuel subsidy will be used to provide fertilizer, implements, and grains to farmers in addition to payment of stipend to poorer house hold for six months.
From the declaration of the State of Emergency to date, the national Bureau of statistics, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown that food inflation had risen from 29.98 percent to 40.18 percent in June 2024. The United Nations in its annual report on Food Security in Nigeria has estimated that over 25 million Nigerians are classified as food insecure as at last year and the number is steadily increasing drastically.
While the President has assured Nigerians that the government will create and support a National Exchange Board whose responsibility will be to review food pricing as well as maintain a strategic food reserve that will be used as price stabilization mechanisms for critical food items, the effect is yet to be seen as no such institution had been put in place. Even though the Central Bank is said to continue to playing a major role in funding the agriculture value chain, the New CBN management had since distanced itself from such intervention arguing that it distorts the economy and mandate of the apex bank.
The pains associated with the triple economic policies: fuel subsidy removal, floating of the Naira and the hike of electricity tariff has shown that many small and medium size businesses are going under as the cost of production or running the businesses have become unbearable. Many manufacturing concerns are now relocating to neighbouring countries.
Of all the promised intervention promised by the President, the only thing Nigerians are seeing so far, is the distribution of 20 trailer loads of rice to the 36 states and Abuja; no protection for the farmer, no inputs to simplify and boast production, no distribution of fertilizers whose price have now gone beyond the purchasing capacity of most average farmers in the open market.
With the food security situation further becoming unattainable to the majority of citizens, the federal government has now announced that it is embarking on food importation or opening our boarders for the importation of agricultural goods at zero duty rates to force food prices down. This, is a policy that is being rejected by agricultural actors and many well-meaning Nigerians including the President of African Development Bank Dr Femi Adesina who described the plan as one effort to disrupt the agriculture trajectory of Nigeria.
The duty-free importation of agricultural foods can have several negative effects on Nigerian farmers, particularly small-scale or peasant farmers due to:
Market Competition – imported agricultural products can be cheaper due to subsidies and lower production costs in other countries. This can make it difficult for local farmers to compete, potentially leading to reduced income and financial instability.
Reduced Incentive for Local Production – if imported foods flood the market, local farmers might be discouraged from producing certain crops, leading to a decline in domestic agricultural production.
Dependency on Imports – over reliance on imported foods can make the country vulnerable to global market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.
Economic Impact – the local agricultural sector might suffer, leading to job losses and negatively impacting the rural economy where farming is a primary source of livelihood.
Food Security – while the policy might provide short-term relief from food shortages, it does not address the underlying issues of food security. Sustainable local production is essential for long-term food security.
Environmental Impact – increased importation can lead to higher carbon footprints due to transportation and can also discourage sustainable farming practices locally.
To mitigate these effects, it is crucial for the government to support local farmers through subsidies, improved infrastructure, and policies that encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
Nigeria’s haunting food crisis and the recently experienced protests against bad governance underscore the urgent need for comprehensive economic planning. The country, blessed with vast arable land and a youthful population, paradoxically grapples with food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by poor governance, economic mismanagement, and climate change.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s food crisis and the protests against bad governance highlights the dare need for acting fast. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes agricultural development, infrastructural improvement, security, climate resilience, governance reforms, and youth engagement. Only through comprehensive and well-implemented economic planning can Nigeria hope to achieve food security and sustainable development.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.