Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) to deliver concrete results in the drive for food security in Nigeria, stressing that Nigerians expect action, not just rhetoric.
He highlighted that while many presidential initiatives have been launched, effective implementation remains a challenge.
Shettima noted that the PFSCU is uniquely positioned to transform Nigeria’s food security challenges into real progress.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima issued this directive on Thursday during the PFSCU’s second meeting, which was convened as part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to combat hunger and alleviate hardship in Nigeria.
In July, the Vice President inaugurated the PFSCU under the Presidential Economic Coordinating Council after presenting a proposal to President Tinubu to establish a food systems council addressing food insecurity.
During this second meeting, which included representatives from states, development partners, and other key stakeholders, Shettima urged the PFSCU to broaden its focus beyond rural farming by introducing urban agriculture, modelled on systems in advanced countries like Cuba.
He said, “We have to walk the talk. I will be in Calabar, and we will go to northern Cross River to flag off the wet season farming. Nigerians want to see what we are doing. And Hon. Minister, I want you to robustly engage the private sector. I want the Hon. Minister of Agriculture to drive the process.
“So, let’s walk the talk. This presidential initiative is a very beautiful one, but we have had a lot of presidential initiatives from time immemorial. It’s the implementation that counts, and we are in a unique position to catalyse our challenges into progress.”
VShettima expressed optimism that the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU) would strengthen food security across Nigeria, highlighting that the unit comprises prominent private-sector leaders whose expertise and connections could drive impactful change.
He urged the PFSCU to expand its focus beyond crop production to include areas like livestock and fisheries, noting the importance of these sectors, especially in the South-South and South-East regions.
Shettima also tasked Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, with devising solutions to improve loan access through credit guarantee schemes, underscoring the need for financial support across the agricultural sector, including for large-scale producers.
During the meeting, several governors echoed the call for a comprehensive shift in food security strategy, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between federal and state levels.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum emphasized the importance of food quality, noting that ‘food security isn’t just about quantity but also quality,’ and cited fisheries and livestock as essential but often overlooked areas in agricultural policy.
He called for closer synergy between federal initiatives and state-level capacities.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu shared his state’s ambitious vision, pledging to make Cross River a leading food supplier within two years.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji emphasised the urgency of immediate action in agriculture, highlighting the sector’s time-sensitive nature and advocating for enhanced engagement with stakeholders to accelerate implementation.
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru advocated for a practical approach to agricultural development, suggesting that leaders’ visible involvement in farming could inspire youth participation, as ‘agriculture needs practical demonstration, not just talk.’
Finance Minister Wale Edun affirmed the need for better support mechanisms, particularly through credit guarantee schemes, to aid farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
He stressed the value of a well-structured financing program to ease access to necessary resources.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari identified smuggling as a significant threat to domestic food supply, assuring attendees that the government is actively addressing the issue.
In her presentation, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture (Office of the Vice President), Marion Moon, highlighted that the PFSCU aims to stabilize food production and mitigate the ongoing food crisis in Nigeria.
She said, “We are doing that; we want to start addressing the underlying issue. Our long-term vision and plan are to strengthen Nigeria’s comparative advantage.”
