The Federal Government says the recent drop in food prices across the country is driven by improved local production, not food imports.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi, stated this during the World Food Day 2025 celebration in Abuja. He credited the decline to interventions such as the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) Agro-Pocket Programme, through which nearly 500,000 metric tons of staple crops like wheat, maize, and cassava were produced locally.
“The drop in prices is the result of increased local output. We have not imported food to crash prices,” the minister said.
He added that improved production and market confidence have encouraged hoarders to release stored grains, further easing prices.
Empowering Farmers
The government is also intensifying efforts to support smallholder farmers through mechanisation, input distribution, and irrigation projects under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Initiative.
In Ogun State, over 3,200 farmers have received free inputs, 20–30 % subsidies, and irrigation pumps to boost all-year farming. The First Lady’s “Every Home a Garden” campaign is also being expanded to promote household-level food production.
Wider Collaboration
Across the states, events marking World Food Day focused on boosting local agriculture. Lagos called for collective action to tackle hunger, while the BATN Foundation’s Eko World Food Day Fair connected farmers directly to consumers.
Despite recent gains, Nigeria still ranks 115th out of 123 countries on the Global Hunger Index, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to strengthen food systems.
