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Why Nigeria is Facing Worsening Food Crisis—Veriv’s Survey
By Adedapo Adesanya
A data insights company, Veriv Africa, has called for increased focus on tackling insecurity and boosting private sector involvement in the Nigerian agriculture to help staunch the growing food crisis in the country.
This was informed by its survey, Veriv Africa Nigeria Food Price Baseline Survey 2025, which found that the country is facing a worsening food crisis stemming from systemic challenges such low agricultural productivity, insufficient policies, dearth in policy harmonisation, as well as climate, geopolitical, and economic shocks.
The survey examined the state of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, focusing on six key crops: cocoa, sesame, rice, corn, tomato, and yam. The study, conducted across five case-study states, revealed critical challenges and opportunities within these value chains.
The report found that despite agriculture employing 30.1 per cent of Nigeria’s labour force and contributing 24.64 per cent to GDP, the country faces a food crisis with food inflation reaching 26.08 per cent in January 2025 and 33 million people are projected to experience food insecurity.
It warned that Nigeria’s crop yields are significantly below global averages, indicating substantial inefficiency in the sector.
According to the study shared with Business Post, Nigeria’s maize yields stand at 1.939.1 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha), significantly below the global average of 5,962.3 kg/ha and the African average of 2,154.8 kg/ha.
At the same time, rice yields in Nigeria (1,974 kg/ha) also lag behind the global average of 4.751.8 kg/ha and the African average of 2.313.3 kg/ha, citing data from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) data from 2023.
This is also similar across other select crops like cocoa, millet, and tomato.
The survey, which included 543 farmers, found that most farmers operate on small land holdings (1-4 acres) and rely on family labour and found that most farmers (60 per cent) finance their activities through personal savings, indicating a lack of access to formal credit.
The data also showed that key challenges faced by Nigerian farmers include lack of access to finance (54 per cent), insecurity (21 per cent), and post-harvest losses (12 per cent).
Farmers desire greater access to finance (52 per cent), improved security (22 per cent), and access to subsidised inputs (19 per cent) as key interventions.
Most farmers (64 per cent) feel better off than in previous planting seasons due to high crop prices, but over half of the surveyed expect the country to be worse off in the next twelve months.
While 82.5 per cent of farmers plan to continue with their primary crops, those who plan to change highlight high input costs, pests, diseases, and low yields as reasons.
Veriv recommended that addressing security challenges, attracting more private sector participation in food production activities, providing rural infrastructure, and establishing staple crop processing zones (SCPZs) in physical proximity to core crop-producing zones is a good course of action.
The firm also advocated democratising and decentralising agricultural extension services to farmers, adopting modern farming techniques, and promoting access to finance to unlock the sector’s potential and ensure food security.
Speaking on the survey, the co-founder of Veriv Africa, Mr Basil Abia, told Business Post that Nigeria lacks an updated central food production data and this survey provides a tentative outlook before the company releases a wider general agriculture data for the country, which will be released later this year.
“As the months go, we will add more crops and expand coverage regarding the value chains; we shall add another layer by 2027 with a beta test by December 2026. That layer is a for a marketplace and mostly for international businesses that want raw materials from Nigeria.”
He pointed out that the first phase of the project are important for social impact projects before evolving into serving corporate needs that will see companies have adequate data for making their decisions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Fuji musician, Mr Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM 1, has formally withdrawn from the race for the Awujale of Ijebuland after staunch opposition to his ambitions.
This came as the minstrel filed a notice of discontinuation at the Ogun State High Court to end his legal challenge against the ongoing selection process.
The notice, filed on Monday, December 22, 2025, by his legal team led by Mr Wahab Shittu (SAN), brings to a close his controversial bid for the revered throne.
The withdrawal followed a ruling by Justice A. A. Omoniyi of High Court 3, Ijebu-Ode Judicial Division, who dismissed KWAM 1’s application for an interim injunction seeking to restrain the Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and other parties from proceeding with the selection of a new Awujale.
Justice Omoniyi held that the application lacked merit but ruled that the substantive suit could proceed on its merits, fixing January 14, 2026, for further hearing.
KWAM 1, the Olori Omooba of Ijebuland from the Fidipote Ruling House, had approached the court after the Fusengbuwa Ruling House declared him ineligible to contest for the stool, insisting he was not a bona fide member of the ruling house and therefore could not vie for the throne under its platform.
However, with the filing of the notice of discontinuation, KWAM 1 appears to have formally recused himself from the Awujale selection process, effectively ending his challenge.
He joined as respondents in the case: the Ogun State Governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
In the application, KWAM 1 contended that he is a bonafide member of both the Fusengbuwa and Fidipote ruling houses, and that his rights as a potential candidate were being threatened by what he described as a flawed and unlawful process.
He alleged that the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, which he described as an “unrecognised body”, was exerting influence over the nomination procedure in violation of Ogun State chieftaincy laws.
Central to his claim was the argument that due process was not followed, particularly the requirement that the Ijebu-Ode Local Government formally publish the names of the 13 recognised kingmakers before any selection exercise commences.
KWAM 1 maintained that the failure to comply with this step rendered the process vulnerable to legal challenge.
The suit was filed against the backdrop of the vacancy created by the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona in July, at the age of 91, after a reign of more than six decades.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
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