Agricultural experts and environmental advocates have called for greater support for smallholder farmers as a more sustainable path to achieving food security in Nigeria.
The call was made in Abuja on Wednesday during a press briefing at a stakeholders’ workshop on the impact of industrial animal farming in the country.
The workshop, convened by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an ecological advocacy and research group, was prompted by the recent entry of major international food corporations into the Nigerian market.
According to Mr. Tennyson Williams, African Regional Director of World Animal Protection (WAP), data indicates that industrial farming operations release significant amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.
He emphasized that instead of promoting industrial-scale farming, governments at all levels should focus on empowering smallholder farmers, who currently produce about 70 percent of Nigeria’s food supply,to strengthen food sovereignty and ensure long-term security.
Mr. Tennyson Williams, Regional Director of World Animal Protection (WAP), noted that smallholder farmers currently produce more than 70 percent of the food consumed in Nigeria. He argued that investing in them would strengthen self-reliance and place food sovereignty directly in the hands of Nigerians, allowing them to decide what they eat.
“Why not channel resources to smallholder farmers to make them more productive? That way, Nigerians can take control of their food systems. On the other hand, converting vast tracts of land that serve as wildlife habitats for industrial farming would undermine biodiversity. Where will these animals go if their natural environment is destroyed?” he asked.
In her remarks, Mrs. Joyce Brown, Programme Manager at the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), stressed the importance of conducting environmental impact assessments before permitting industrial-scale farming.
She cautioned that the sector, if left unchecked, could have severe environmental, social, and health consequences.
“While we talk about sustainability, we find that in many cases proper environmental and social impact studies are ignored before such projects begin. The consequences are wide-ranging, from public health issues like antibiotic resistance to the dangers of consuming food produced through unsafe methods.
“Our call is for Nigerians to be fully involved in these decisions—asking critical questions rather than rushing into industrial farming as a quick fix to food insecurity. Investments should be weighed carefully against their impact on the nation’s food sovereignty,” she said.
Similarly, Mr. Mayowa Shobo, Programme Manager at HEDA Resource Centre, urged the government to focus on strengthening local food production systems and protecting smallholder farmers. He warned that the influx of large corporations into agriculture posed significant risks to host communities, where cases of exploitation and environmental abuse are common.
“Of course, investment in agriculture is welcome, but Nigeria must aim for true food independence, not just food security that depends heavily on outside players. Supporting smallholder farmers is key; handing over this responsibility to foreign companies, who often have little stake in our long-term development, only increases community vulnerability.
“Such corporations often worsen exposure to flooding, pesticide-related hazards, and other risks, with little or no compensation for affected communities. The long-term costs are enormous, and the government should pay attention to them,” he cautioned.
Also speaking, Mrs. Marrian Bassey-Olsson, Assistant Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action (ERA), clarified that stakeholders are not opposed to agricultural investment. Their concern, she explained, lies in safeguarding Nigerians’ rights to healthy food, a clean environment, and food sovereignty.
“As citizens, we are simply asking the right questions: Have proper environmental impact assessments been carried out? Were communities meaningfully consulted, or was the process top-down? Which lands will be allocated for these projects, and what are the consequences for the people and ecosystems already there?
“We are not against investment. Our goal is to ensure that due process is followed and that the wellbeing of Nigerians, their environment, and their health remain protected,” she said.
