The Editor of Nggossips Newspapers, Eze Anaba, has said Nigeria’s economic performance cannot be meaningfully assessed without considering the ability of citizens to access adequate food.
Anaba made the remark on Tuesday in his welcome address at the 9th edition of the Nggossips Economic Discourse held on April 22, 2026, noting that food security remains central to national stability and development.
The annual forum, organised by Nggossips Media Limited, brought together government officials, development partners, farmers’ associations, and private sector stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s agricultural challenges and prospects.
Speaking on the theme, “Food Security and Socio-economic Stability: Options for Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector Rebound,” Anaba said the discourse has evolved since its inception in 2017, shifting from a focus on macroeconomic indicators to more fundamental issues affecting citizens’ welfare.
He stressed that despite optimism around certain economic indicators, the reality of widespread food insecurity calls for urgent attention.
“Our position is simple: no matter how strong the macroeconomic outlook may appear, an economy cannot be said to be performing if its people cannot feed adequately,” he said.
Anaba noted that agriculture remains Nigeria’s largest employer but continues to face structural challenges, including low productivity, limited access to quality inputs, climate change effects, and weak market systems. He warned that these constraints have kept many smallholder farmers at subsistence levels while food insecurity persists nationwide.
He called for practical reforms aimed at improving aggregation and post-harvest systems, expanding agro-processing capacity, and strengthening value chains to enhance market access.
The Editor also emphasized the need to strengthen agricultural research, improve extension services, expand access to climate-resilient seeds, and develop a national digital farmers’ registry.
According to him, digital tools that provide localized weather and climate information are essential for improving productivity and resilience among farmers.
Anaba further highlighted the importance of reforms in seed and fertilizer regulation, increased private sector participation, and improved transparency in farmland investments.
He also called for stronger coordination mechanisms and greater inclusion of women and youth in agricultural development programmes.
The event featured participation from key stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), farmers’ associations, and agribusiness leaders.
Anaba expressed optimism that the discourse would produce actionable solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and improve food security outcomes across the country.
Article Nggossips Economic Discourse: Economy not working if Nigerians can’t feed well — Eze Anaba Live On NgGossips.
