Presidential Research & Communications Unit

The current situation, in which the nation spends about $2.8 billion annually to import food, has been described as unacceptable going by the enormity of the resources the nation is endowed.

The Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, made the disclosure while briefing the media in company of Governors of Edo state Oserheimen Osunbor, Ogun state Gbenga Daniel and Minister of National Planning, Senator Sanusi Daggash on the outcome of the National Executive Council meeting held on Monday, March 10 in Abuja.
He said the development led NEC which was chaired by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, to set up a committee to produce a strategic document that will outline the plans, to ensure that government is able to feed Nigerians and guarantee food security.
Responding to questions on the necessity of workshops and seminars to food security, Governor Ohakim, acknowledged the important role workshops and seminars play in disseminating information and for people to know what is right. He noted that the present administration has been in power for just nine months and that there are facts that are just emerging from the day’s presentation.

“For example, Nigeria has 76 million hectares of arable land for farming, that Nigeria has benevolence of weather, that Nigeria spends about $2.8 billion importing food, that 65 per cent of our citizens don’t have access to the right mix of food, therefore, are not secured in terms of food and their growth and ability to learn even mathematics is stunted, and that is not good for a country like Nigeria. So we require about N950 billion in the next four years to get the right thing done. Council recognised this fact and said there is need for urgent attention to agriculture, proper planning.” He stated.

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