An agribusiness expert and Chief Executive Officer of AgroEknor, Timi Oke, has warned about the escalating threat of food insecurity in Nigeria, urging immediate investment and comprehensive reforms.
Speaking at the recent GTR West Africa 2025 conference, Oke warned that the nation’s agricultural sector is teetering on the brink due to compounding factors such as inflation, climate instability, poor rural infrastructure, and limited financing options for farmers.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy and national security is tied to our ability to feed ourselves. If we do not act with urgency and scale, the food security gap will only widen, leaving millions vulnerable and stalling our development ambitions,” Oke said.
Drawing on the company’s extensive experience working across rural farming communities and export markets, Oke emphasised that short-term fixes were not enough.
He urged stakeholders to prioritise long-term, resilient agricultural ecosystems that foster innovation and inclusivity, backed by sustainable finance.
“We cannot afford to think of agriculture as charity. Agriculture is business, but it must be the kind of business that uplifts people, protects the environment, and strengthens communities,” he said.
Oke commended organisations that have taken bold steps in impact investing and called for more finance models that deliver both returns and measurable social outcomes.
He stressed that without this shift, traditional investment strategies would continue to fall short in addressing Nigeria’s food crisis.
Speaking further, Oke proposed a three-part plan centered on urgent policy reform, widespread technology adoption, and deep collaboration between the public and private sectors.
He urged the Federal Government to eliminate regulatory bottlenecks and increase access to land and infrastructure for farmers. On the technological front, he advocated for accessible innovations such as climate-smart farming and mobile financial platforms to connect farmers with markets and credit.
“The solutions must be integrated. Policy without investment will not deliver results. Innovation without infrastructure will fail. We must work together across sectors and silos,” he said.
Oke issued a stark warning about the high cost of inaction. He linked food insecurity to a range of national threats, including rising poverty, malnutrition, urban migration, and potential social unrest—issues that could derail Nigeria’s path to becoming one of the world’s most populous nations by 2050.
“If we do not invest now, we will spend even more later managing the consequences of hunger, instability, and lost economic potential. The time to act is not tomorrow. It is today,” the agribusiness expert warned.
Oke concluded with a direct challenge to stakeholders across sectors to step up and take responsibility for shaping Nigeria’s food future.
“We have the knowledge, the talent, and the opportunity. What we need now is leadership, vision, and commitment. If we act with courage and collaboration, we can transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and build a future where food security is not a privilege for a few, but a right for all,” Oke noted.
