By Kingsley Benson
Nigeria’s growing population continues to push demand for staple crops to new levels, placing increasing pressure on the country’s agricultural system. Among the most critical of these staples is maize, a key ingredient in food consumption, livestock feed, and industrial processing.
The federal government now estimates that the country requires at least 25 million tonnes of maize annually to meet domestic demand and sustain national food security. The figure reflects the scale of production needed to support both human consumption and Nigeria’s expanding agro-industrial value chains.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, disclosed the estimate in Abuja during a Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement meeting organised by the ministry. The forum brought together representatives from government institutions, farmers’ associations, civil society groups, development partners, and agro-allied businesses.
According to Sen. Abdullahi, the government is intensifying efforts to expand local production in order to reduce dependence on imports and stabilise food supply across the country.
He explained that the administration’s agricultural strategy focuses on strengthening domestic value chains so that affordable and nutritious food becomes more accessible to Nigerian households.
“Our focus is on expanding local production so affordable and nutritious food becomes accessible to every Nigerian,” the minister said.
He noted that several ongoing interventions have begun to influence market trends, pointing to a recent decline in the prices of major food commodities.
“Our efforts are paying off. Prices of major food commodities have dropped by about 50 per cent across the country,” Abdullahi stated, adding that the government is addressing rising input costs in order to sustain the supply of affordable food.
Maize remains central to Nigeria’s agricultural economy. Beyond its role as a staple food crop, it serves as a primary component in poultry feed and livestock production, making it vital for the broader food value chain.
For policymakers, expanding maize production is therefore seen not only as a food security measure but also as an economic strategy capable of supporting rural livelihoods and agro-industrial growth.
Sen. Abdullahi said the government has prioritised key agricultural value chains, including rice, maize, and wheat, as part of a broader plan to strengthen domestic food production and create opportunities for millions of smallholder farmers.
Strategic investments in these crops, he added, are positioning Nigeria to play a stronger role in global agricultural markets while improving resilience within the domestic food system.
The minister explained that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is aligning its policies with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, which emphasises food sovereignty and reduced reliance on imports.
Achieving that objective will require coordinated action across federal and state institutions, particularly in improving productivity, access to inputs, and agricultural infrastructure.
Sen. Abdullahi urged stakeholders in the sector to work closely with state ministries of agriculture to accelerate production growth and strengthen the national food system.
He also described the stakeholder engagement forum as part of the ministry’s commitment to transparency and inclusive policy development. According to him, regular interaction with farmers, businesses, civil society organisations, and development partners is essential for designing policies that respond to the realities of the sector.
Participants at the meeting included representatives of the media, farmers’ groups, donor agencies, development institutions, and agro-allied companies. The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration across the agricultural ecosystem and identifying practical solutions to improve food availability, accessibility, and affordability across the country.
