Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, has sounded a stark alarm over Nigeria’s recent decision to significantly increase food imports, cautioning that it could spell disaster for the country’s agriculture sector.
The Nigerian government, led by Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, recently announced a 150-day suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on key food imports including maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas. This move, aimed at mitigating short-term food price increases, has sparked concerns about its long-term implications for Nigeria’s agricultural self-sufficiency.
Speaking at a gathering of Anglican Church leaders in Abuja, Dr. Adesina condemned the policy, emphasizing that Nigeria should prioritize boosting local food production to stabilize prices, create jobs, and reduce foreign exchange expenditure.
“Nigeria cannot depend on food imports to solve its food security challenges. It is imperative that we enhance domestic production capabilities,” Dr. Adesina asserted, stressing the importance of national pride in achieving food sovereignty.
The event, convened under the auspices of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), brought together leaders from across the continent to discuss strategies for addressing food insecurity. They underscored agriculture’s pivotal role in economic diversification and poverty alleviation, particularly in rural communities where a majority of Africans reside.
Dr. Adesina highlighted Africa’s vast agricultural potential, citing the continent’s substantial uncultivated arable land and projected market growth. He outlined the African Development Bank’s ambitious $25 billion initiative aimed at transforming agriculture through technological innovation and sustainable practices, benefiting 40 million farmers by 2030.
“For Africa to eradicate poverty, agriculture must undergo significant transformation,” he stated, citing success stories in countries like Ethiopia and Sudan where agricultural initiatives have bolstered production despite climate challenges.
Regarding Nigeria specifically, Dr. Adesina pointed to ongoing collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural infrastructure and productivity. He noted substantial financial support for Special Agricultural Processing Zones (SAPZs) aimed at boosting value addition and processing capacities.
Church leaders echoed Dr. Adesina’s concerns, advocating for strengthened partnerships between the African Development Bank and religious institutions to combat food insecurity collaboratively.
In conclusion, Dr. Adesina called for visionary leadership and strategic investments in African agriculture, emphasizing the critical role of effective public policy and community engagement in achieving sustainable food security across the continent.