Lagos—Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has called for a shift from food security to food sovereignty in Nigeria, urging increased investment in agriculture and the decolonisation of the nation’s food systems.
Speaking at the World Food Day Forum organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, Governor Bago, a self-described “farmer-governor,” emphasized that food sovereignty goes beyond access—it involves control, dignity, and self-determination in food production and consumption.
“While our population grows geometrically, food production remains arithmetical. This gap must be bridged through deliberate investment in mechanisation, irrigation, and value chain infrastructure,” he said, highlighting Nigeria’s overreliance on imported staples such as rice and wheat as a drain on foreign reserves.
The governor announced several initiatives in Niger State, including a N1.8 trillion agreement with the Dangote Group to drive agricultural transformation and a partnership with Lagos State for large-scale food production. These projects aim to create thousands of jobs, enhance food traceability, and ensure local production meets national demand.
On livestock, Bago noted that Nigeria spends over $5 billion annually on imported meat and dairy, advocating for livestock development and foreign partnerships with the Middle East to boost economic opportunities, especially for women.
He also stressed the importance of youth engagement, farm mechanisation, rural development, and social protection for farmers, including access to insurance, affordable credit, and mortgages. Niger State has already procured thousands of tractors and established a microfinance corporation with an initial N2 billion capital to support outgrowers.
Bago concluded: “We are not just growing crops; we are cultivating sovereignty, prosperity, and the future of our nation. Farming is not poverty; farmers are among the richest people globally.”
Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, NIIA Director-General, commended Bago’s initiatives, noting Niger State’s strategic geopolitical position and global agricultural partnerships. To honour the governor, NIIA announced the creation of the Governor Mohammed Umar Bago Chair in Food and Human Security, an academic endowment to sustain research and policy development in food security and sovereignty.
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