Abuja: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have called for increased investment in innovative and production-oriented food systems in Nigeria. The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Fall, emphasized this during a joint session of both organizations on the sidelines of the Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja. The event was themed: 'Investing in Innovative Food Systems Solutions in Challenging Contexts.'
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Fall highlighted that increasing investments would strengthen resilience and address food insecurity in fragile regions of Nigeria and across Africa. He stated that food security encompasses more than just agriculture; it also involves peace, dignity, and stability. Despite adversity, farmers in conflict-prone areas continue to demonstrate resilience, which remains a hopeful sign for national recovery.
Fall further explained that a joint study by the WFP, AfDB, and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) indicated that food systems in fragile contexts were not broken but unfinished. The study recommended more trust, investment, and partnerships to complete them. He also pointed to Nigeria's recent progress under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro-Pocket, which has significantly increased wheat production, as evidence of what coordinated policy and investment can achieve. The UN system is committed to supporting Nigeria's food security agenda through programs that reduce post-harvest losses, boost local production, and link farmers to markets.
Dr Abdul Kamara, Director-General of the AfDB's Nigeria Country Department, who moderated the session, stressed the need to transition from short-term humanitarian interventions to long-term investment-driven solutions. Despite conflict and climate challenges, Nigeria still holds significant agricultural potential that could drive economic growth, self-reliance, and improved nutrition.
Kamara urged a shift from fragmented interventions to comprehensive, action-oriented investments that integrate humanitarian response with long-term resilience and economic growth, especially supporting small families. He emphasized the necessity for innovative financing mechanisms, strong national ownership, and breakthroughs in technology and policy to unlock Africa's potential, particularly in its most fragile regions.
He also recalled the reaffirmation of this message at the Africa Development Bank's Africa Resilience Forum. The new joint study by the WFP and AfDB has mapped investment opportunities in Northern Nigeria's food systems, identifying areas for value-chain development, production enhancement, and private sector participation. Kamara noted that over 10 billion dollars have been spent on humanitarian interventions in Northern Nigeria, and similar resources invested in production and resilience could transform the region's food security landscape.
He called on development partners, government, and the private sector to co-invest in sustainable solutions that would expand food production, strengthen storage and processing facilities, and increase access to finance for farmers. Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to advancing resilient food systems through inclusive investments that promote peace, create jobs, and ensure long-term food security in Nigeria.