The National Assembly is pushing a new bill that would set up a National Food Reserve Agency to manage Nigeria's strategic food stocks and guard against shortages during emergencies.
The proposal comes as Nigeria grapples with food inflation and supply chain disruptions that have pushed millions deeper into hunger. Lawmakers see the agency as a way to build buffer stocks of staple crops, stabilise prices, and ensure the country can respond quickly when harvests fail or crises strike.
Under the bill, the new agency would be tasked with purchasing and storing grains, roots, and other food items during periods of plenty, then releasing them to markets when supplies tighten. The idea mirrors food reserve systems that countries like India have used for decades to prevent famine and price spikes.
Nigeria's food security has deteriorated sharply in recent years. The World Food Programme estimates that over 26 million Nigerians face acute hunger, while malnutrition remains high in the north. Rising costs of fertiliser and fuel have squeezed farmers, and insecurity in farming regions has disrupted planting and harvesting across vast areas.
The bill would give the proposed agency powers to coordinate with state governments, agricultural bodies, and the private sector to build and maintain reserves. Lawmakers backing the measure argue that without such a system, Nigeria will keep lurching from one food crisis to another, dependent on imports and emergency aid.
The Assembly will debate the bill in coming weeks before putting it to a vote. If passed, it moves to the President for assent. Implementation would likely take months, requiring funding and the recruitment of staff to run storage facilities across different regions.
Experts have warned that a reserve agency alone cannot fix Nigeria's farm crisis. Production must rise through better seeds, irrigation, and security for farmers. But supporters say reserves buy time during shocks and reduce the damage when they hit.
