U.S. Mission Partners with Nigerian Stakeholders to Tackle Food Insecurity

By Uju Uwachukwu

The U.S. Mission’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Lagos, in partnership with the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Kaduna Chapter, and the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), has convened a high-level roundtable to explore innovative trade approaches aimed at boosting Nigeria’s food security and economic growth.

The event, themed “Innovative Approaches to Agricultural Trade for Economic Growth and Food Security,” brought together legislators’ representatives, trade policy advisors, agribusiness leaders, researchers, regulators, and U.S. agricultural trade associations. At the forum, experts highlighted the adverse effects of Nigeria’s restrictive trade policies, noting that import bans and high tariffs have pushed food inflation to record levels and shifted trade into informal markets, reducing government revenue and oversight.

Research conducted by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in collaboration with stakeholders revealed that food inflation reached 30.6% in 2023, with staples such as rice and beef doubling in price within two years. For instance, the price of 1kg of local rice surged by 137.32% year-on-year in October 2024, while boneless beef rose by 98.73%. Speaking at the event, Chairman of NACC Kaduna Chapter, Matthew Obogbaimhe, said revitalizing agriculture goes beyond trade bans.

“Revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector requires more than trade restrictions; it demands innovation, sustainable practices, and investment in infrastructure. This vision is why the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce chose to partner with FAS to drive agricultural innovation and trade across Africa,” Obogbaimhe stated.

Agricultural Counselor at FAS Lagos, Christopher Bielecki, stressed the importance of dialogue between stakeholders.

“The roundtable provided a unique platform to exchange ideas and explore innovative agricultural trade policies that benefit the consumers and farmers from Nigeria and the United States. By fostering dialogue, we discussed innovative solutions to strengthen agricultural trade, reduce costs for agribusinesses and consumers, and drive prosperity for American and Nigerian farmers,” Bielecki said.

NABG Director General, Jafar Umar, also emphasized the urgency of reform.

“As the leading voice of agribusiness in Nigeria, we believe this roundtable is both timely and highly relevant to the national discourse on advancing trade and strengthening food security.

We are happy to partner with FAS on this important initiative, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration through many more impactful engagements,” Umar said.

The NIPSS research recommended reducing agricultural import bans, adopting predictable tariff policies, and harmonizing regulations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

It also proposed establishing a centralized body to oversee agricultural trade regulations to improve transparency, revenues, and food safety standards. Case studies presented during the session showed how other countries successfully combined trade reforms with local production to boost food security.

Examples included Colombia’s elimination of pork import duties, which led to a 146% increase in domestic production, and South Africa’s beef sector, which grew by 19% over a decade despite importing offals. With Nigeria’s protein consumption at just 45.4 grams per capita daily—far below the FAO’s 60 grams minimum—stakeholders stressed the need for both imports and domestic innovation. U.S.-Nigeria partnerships, such as the Soy Excellence Center in Ibadan and investments in aquaculture feed training, were cited as models for bridging food and nutrition gaps.

The U.S. Mission’s FAS office in Lagos affirmed its commitment to work with Nigerian stakeholders to translate the roundtable’s policy recommendations into action, with a shared vision of fostering food security, encouraging investment, and strengthening trade relations.