Northern Nigeria Food Security Report

ABUJA, Nigeria, October 10, 2025/ – The African Development Bank ( https://AfDB.org ), in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), has released a new study calling for coordinated and innovative investments to strengthen food security and unlock the agricultural potential of northern Nigeria.

Launched on the sidelines of the 31st ^Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, the report emphasizes the need for sustained, evidence-based investments to rebuild livelihoods and foster inclusive agricultural transformation in regions affected by fragility and conflict.

The report, “Investing in Innovative Food Systems Solutions in Challenging Contexts ,” provides a roadmap for revitalizing food systems in northern Nigeria. It identifies pragmatic policy, institutional, and investment priorities that can accelerate agricultural recovery, restore livelihoods, and promote long-term resilience.

At a high-level roundtable held to launch the report, government officials, northern state governors, traditional leaders, and development partners engaged in a dialogue to rethink and advance sustainable food systems.

Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, noted that farmers continue to rely on traditional storage systems because most of the country's silos are located far from production centers. " We are working to ensure that at least 80 percent of silos are located in small-scale farming communities ," he said.

Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano, stressed that long-term solutions required consistency and private sector investment, and that repairing agricultural value chains and promoting long-term investments was the best way to combat poverty in northern Nigeria.

Moderating the session, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the African Development Bank Group for Nigeria, reiterated the importance of mobilizing private capital and strengthening value chains. He noted that revitalizing agriculture in northern Nigeria was fundamental to achieving food sovereignty and shared prosperity. “ By building resilient agricultural value chains, we can create sustainable jobs, empower women and youth, and lay the foundations for long-term stability ,” he suggested.

The African Development Bank Group's agricultural portfolio in Nigeria currently stands at nearly $900 million, channeled through flagship initiatives such as the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs) and the National Agricultural Growth Program (NAGS). These initiatives reflect the institution's commitment to value addition, productivity, and market access across the agricultural value chain.

The report identifies eight key crops—sorghum, millet, maize, wheat, cowpea, soybeans, peanuts, and tomatoes—as strategic entry points for investment. It maps production hubs, trade corridors, and supply chain costs, providing a fact-based framework for policymakers and investors to catalyze inclusive growth in fragile contexts.

“ The study provides clear, evidence-based guidance on how to strengthen food systems in fragile contexts ,” said Steven Were Omamo, IFPRI Executive Director. “ By basing policy and investment decisions on rigorous evidence, we can ensure lasting impact and smarter resilience building. ”

While humanitarian aid remains essential, the report calls for a shift toward market-driven solutions, climate-smart agriculture, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) that can enable communities to move beyond crisis response toward sustainable recovery.

“ Rebuilding northern Nigeria’s breadbasket requires more than emergency assistance; it requires bold investments rooted in peace, resilience, and long-term recovery ,” said David Stevenson, WFP Country Director and Representative in Nigeria.

The partners called on governments, investors and development partners to use this study as a framework to channel financing to ensure a future of food security, resilience and inclusion for northern Nigeria.

The Emissary