Chisom Umejiaku
Nigeria spends an estimated $10 billion every year importing food, a situation the federal government says is unsustainable and a heavy burden on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed the figure on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, while addressing stakeholders at an agricultural policy forum in Abuja.
He said Nigeria’s dependence on imports for basic staples has worsened food insecurity and must be urgently addressed.
According to him, the government is intensifying efforts to increase domestic production of rice, wheat, maize, and soybeans through targeted investment in irrigation, mechanisation, and value chain development.
READ ALSO: Tinubu: Food Security, Regional Inclusion Are Pillars of Nigeria’s Stability
He noted that such measures are necessary to cut import bills, create jobs, and reduce pressure on the naira.
Nigeria has been grappling with high food inflation in recent years, driven by insecurity in farming communities, climate change, rising input costs, and global supply chain disruptions.
Kyari expressed optimism that renewed policy focus, combined with greater private sector participation, would help close the gap between demand and local supply.