Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasised the importance of translating words into action to secure food stability in Nigeria, urging the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) to lead the charge.
Speaking at the PFSCU’s second meeting, Shettima highlighted the need to move beyond traditional farming methods to include urban agriculture, citing successful examples from countries like Cuba.
He noted that while presidential initiatives are frequent, “it’s the implementation that counts.” He added that Nigerians are focused on tangible results rather than rhetoric.
The Vice President therefore urged the Minister of Agriculture to engage the private sector actively, stressing that “we have to walk the talk” in advancing food security.
Shettima pointed to the PFSCU’s capacity to leverage private sector expertise for broader agricultural development. He also called for a diversified approach that includes livestock and fisheries, particularly for the South-South and South-East regions.
He tasked the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, to address challenges related to credit access for the agriculture sector.
State governors present at the meeting echoed this call to action. Specifically, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum emphasized that food security hinges on quality as much as quantity, while Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji urged prompt implementation of agricultural plans, noting that “agriculture is time-sensitive.”
In his remarks, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru advocated for practical, visible efforts in agriculture, stating, “Agriculture doesn’t require so much talking; it needs practicality.”
Minister of Finance Wale Edun underscored the need for financing solutions to support farmers, and Minister of Agriculture Senator Abubakar Kyari addressed the issue of agricultural produce smuggling, affirming that the government is working to curb this trend.
In her address, Marion Moon, Technical Assistant on Agriculture, highlighted the PFSCU’s goal of addressing the roots of Nigeria’s food crisis and building long-term stability by leveraging the nation’s strengths in agriculture.