The African Development Bank, in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), has unveiled a comprehensive study advocating for innovative and coordinated investments to enhance food security and agricultural productivity in northern Nigeria. Released during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, the report highlights the urgent need for evidence-based actions to rebuild livelihoods and promote inclusive agricultural transformation in regions affected by fragility and conflict.
Titled “Investing in Innovative Food Systems Solutions in Challenging Contexts,” the report outlines a strategic roadmap for revitalizing food systems in northern Nigeria. It presents actionable policy and investment priorities aimed at accelerating agricultural recovery, restoring livelihoods, and building long-term resilience. A high-level panel at the launch brought together government officials, state governors, traditional leaders, and development partners to discuss innovative approaches for sustainable food systems.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, emphasized the importance of improving storage infrastructure, noting that most national silos are far from production areas. He announced plans to locate at least 80 percent of new silos within small farming communities. Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano, stressed the role of private-sector participation and long-term investment in strengthening agricultural value chains as a sustainable pathway to reducing poverty in northern Nigeria.
Abdul Kamara, the African Development Bank’s Director General for Nigeria, highlighted the need to mobilize private capital and enhance value chains to achieve food sovereignty and shared prosperity. He underlined that strengthening agriculture is vital to creating jobs, empowering women and youth, and ensuring lasting stability in the region. The Bank’s agricultural portfolio in Nigeria now stands at nearly $900 million, with key investments in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) and the National Agriculture Growth Scheme (NAGS).
The study identifies eight strategic crops—sorghum, millet, maize, wheat, cowpeas, soybeans, groundnuts, and tomatoes—as focal points for investment. It provides data on production clusters, trade routes, and supply chain costs, offering a solid evidence base for policymakers and investors to foster inclusive growth in fragile areas. According to IFPRI Executive Director Dr. Steven Were Omamo, grounding investment and policy decisions in data-driven evidence will help achieve sustainable food systems and resilience-building.
While acknowledging the continued need for humanitarian aid, the report calls for a shift toward market-driven solutions, climate-smart agriculture, and stronger public–private partnerships to move communities beyond crisis response. WFP Nigeria Country Director David Stevenson emphasized that rebuilding northern Nigeria’s breadbasket requires bold, peace-centered investments that support long-term recovery and resilience.
The report’s partners urged governments, development agencies, and investors to adopt its recommendations as a framework for channeling resources toward a food-secure, inclusive, and sustainable future for northern Nigeria.
