FG Admits Food Security Crisis, Sets Up Committee To Tackle Hunger

The Federal Government, in a move to tackle the prevailing economic hardships and escalating food insecurity, has inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU).

The ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, was presided over by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, symbolizing the administration’s proactive stance against the crisis.

Vice President Shettima emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to confront the nation’s food security challenges head-on.

“We are faced with a critical situation that threatens our democracy and our survival as a nation. This new unit will help harness and coordinate efforts across various sectors to ensure a cohesive approach to solving our food crisis,” Shettima explained.

The PFSCU is designed to collaborate closely with state governments, development partners, and other stakeholders to streamline efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and reducing food prices.

The unit is tasked with activating several government-led initiatives, including the Green Imperative Programme, which focuses on agricultural industrialization driven by private-sector involvement.

During the event, several governors shared their strategies for transforming agriculture in their states. Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River highlighted his administration’s commitment to modernizing agricultural practices to achieve food sufficiency.

“Our focus is on turning Cross River into a major food basket for the nation through innovative and sustainable agricultural practices,” he stated.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State called for a coordinated national strategy to address agricultural challenges exacerbated by population growth and limited productivity.

“It is essential that we align our state’s efforts with national objectives to effectively tackle the food security challenges,” Zulum noted.

Jigawa State’s Governor, Umar Namadi, and Niger State’s Governor, Mohammed Bago, also outlined their contributions towards national food security, focusing on boosting local production capacities and implementing state-led agricultural initiatives.