The Federal Government has raised concerns over growing pressure on Nigeria’s food system, warning that food insecurity and inflation continue to threaten national stability.

Speaking at the 2026 Vanguard Economic Discourse in Lagos on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the Minister of Livestock Development, Eustace Iyayi, said both global and domestic food systems were facing “profound stress” amid rapid population growth.

Iyayi, who represented the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, noted that food insecurity in Nigeria is being worsened by structural challenges.

“Food insecurity is further compounded by local constraints such as low productivity, infrastructure shortages and security problems,” he said.

He stressed that agriculture remains a major pillar of the Nigerian economy, employing a significant portion of the population, yet the country continues to grapple with food shortages.

“Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economy and makes up 35 to 45 percent of the labour force. Yet, the nation continues to face stiff agricultural food insecurity while food inflation is above 30 percent,” Iyayi said.

According to him, the situation has significantly weakened the purchasing power of citizens.

Highlighting the role of livestock, Iyayi said the sector contributes between five and eight percent of Nigeria’s food value chain and remains critical to ongoing reform efforts.

“For livestock, it contributes to about 5 to 8 of Nigeria’s food value chain… we have more than a million cattle, cows, goats and a very substantial number of camels and other livestock,” he said.

He added that the government is leveraging ongoing discussions to drive reforms in the sector.

“We are using this discourse to activate the transformation of the food sector and livestock sector,” he stated.

Iyayi emphasised that meaningful agricultural transformation would require increased productivity across the value chain, alongside greater investment.

“If Nigeria is to achieve a meaningful agricultural transformation, it has to enhance productivity across value chain,” he said, urging Nigerians to invest in cultivation and livestock production.

He disclosed that several agricultural projects had already commenced in parts of the country.

“We have already started a series of projects across northeast, northwest and even in the north central,” he said.

The adviser also called for improved access to finance and insurance to support farmers and agribusinesses.

“To strengthen agricultural value chain, agricultural insurance, finance models and access to agricultural finances must be improved… we need balanced access to finance to carry out projects,” he added.