The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s rising dependence on wheat importation, following recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicating that more than ₦1 trillion was spent on wheat imports between October 2023 and September 2024.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the 2nd National Rainfed Wheat Farmers Day, held at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State.
The annual event, organized by the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is designed to promote research-driven innovation, enhance productivity, and support Nigeria’s transition toward self-sufficiency in wheat production.
Senator Kyari described the NBS figure as “a worrisome reflection of the country’s dependence on imports”, stressing the need for urgent action to reverse the trend.
“This calls for a renewed national commitment to innovation, technology, and the development of high-yield crop varieties that will increase productivity and ensure food security,” the Minister stated.
He explained that the Ministry has prioritized agricultural research and development, particularly in improving crop varieties that are better adapted to Nigeria’s diverse climate conditions. According to him, recent research efforts have led to the creation of a new hybrid wheat variety that is more resilient to harsh environmental factors and capable of yielding higher output per hectare.
The Minister urged farmers nationwide to embrace the new technology and improved farming methods to overcome existing challenges and achieve sustainable food security.
In his remarks, the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, expressed concern over the current low level of crop productivity in the country. He emphasized the need for coordinated interventions to boost agricultural output, pledging his administration’s readiness to support federal initiatives aimed at strengthening food production.
Governor Mutfwang directed the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Samson Bugama, to design a three-year action plan focused on expanding wheat cultivation and achieving higher yields across Plateau State.
Representing his counterparts from the 36 states, Dr. Bugama commended the Federal Government for driving innovation in the agricultural sector, describing the initiative as “a monumental leap toward achieving national food sustainability.”
Earlier, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Chad Research Institute, Professor Babagana Jugudum, underscored the central role of research in transforming agricultural productivity. He appealed to the Plateau State Government to allocate about 50 hectares of land for the establishment of a research facility to further strengthen the Institute’s operations in the state.
The event concluded with an inspection of cultivated wheat farms in Vom, showcasing the progress made in developing improved varieties and demonstrating the potential for large-scale production in Nigeria’s rainfed regions.