Gboyega Isiaka, the House of Representatives member for Imeko-Afon/Yewa North Federal Constituency, has warned that Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity is a significant obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger by 2030.
Speaking at the 26th annual global lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Isiaka noted that insecurity, particularly in the Northeast and Middle Belt, has led to the abandonment of 800,000 hectares of farmland, severely disrupting agricultural productivity.
“Insecurity remains a pressing challenge for Nigerian agriculture, with armed conflicts disrupting production, displacing farmers, and destroying infrastructure,” Isiaka stated.
The lawmaker also highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change, citing erratic rainfall patterns, desertification, and rising temperatures as factors further threatening food security.
To address these challenges, Isiaka proposed:
- Establishing ranches to reduce farmer-herder conflicts.
- Ensuring transparent land allocation.
- Strengthening law enforcement and judicial systems for swift conflict resolution.
He also called for increased agricultural funding, stating that $4.9 billion annually is required for Nigeria to meet SDG 2 by 2030, alongside adopting technology, modern farming techniques, and encouraging youth participation in agriculture.
“Without tackling insecurity and boosting investments in agriculture, achieving food security will remain a mirage,” he concluded.