A leading agricultural scholar, Prof. Femi Ajayi, has called for urgent, coordinated action to secure Nigeria’s food future, warning that persistent structural challenges and emerging global pressures will continue to threaten access to adequate nutrition across the country.
Delivering a keynote lecture at the Akoni Oodua Agbeparapo Leadership Award 2026, held at the historic Ooni’s Palace, at the weekend, Ajayi emphasised that food security in the 21st century goes beyond food production to encompass access, sustainability and equity.
Dean of Faculty of Agriculture at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife, Femi Ajayi, stated, “Food security is not merely about growing more food.
“It is about ensuring that all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for a healthy life,” he noted.
Ajayi outlined the four pillars of food security—availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability—warning that all are currently under strain in Nigeria.
Despite vast arable land and a large agricultural workforce, the country continues to face food insecurity driven by rapid population growth, projected to surpass 400 million by 2050. He noted that Nigeria remains heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture, while post-harvest losses for some crops reach as high as 50 percent.
“Food insecurity is no longer confined to rural areas; it is increasingly urban and cuts across socio-economic classes,” he added.
The professor identified several major factors undermining Nigeria’s food system, including climate change, insecurity, weak infrastructure, and economic constraints.
Erratic rainfall, desertification in northern regions and flooding in southern areas are already affecting yields. At the same time, farmer-herder conflicts and banditry have displaced communities and disrupted supply chains.
He also highlighted inadequate rural infrastructure, low mechanisation and inconsistent government policies as critical barriers to progress.
Ajayi noted that modern dynamics such as urbanisation, globalisation and technological disparities are reshaping food systems.
While demand for processed foods rises in cities, rural farmers remain disconnected from digital tools that could improve productivity and market access.
He also pointed to a “double burden” of malnutrition and obesity, stressing the need to focus on food quality, not just quantity.
To address these challenges, Ajayi proposed a multi-pronged strategy centered on agricultural transformation, infrastructure development and inclusive policies.
Key recommendations included expanding irrigation systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture and investing in storage and agro-processing facilities to reduce waste.
He also called for revitalising extension services through digital tools and making agriculture more attractive to young people and women.
“Empowering women with access to land, credit and training is essential to strengthening food systems,” he said.
Ajayi urged universities and research institutions to develop locally adaptable technologies and bridge the gap between academic research and practical application. He also emphasised that food security is a shared responsibility.
“Households can embrace home gardening, communities can support cooperative farming and consumers must reduce food waste,” he said.
Concluding his lecture, Ajayi stressed that Nigeria has the resources and human capacity to achieve food security but lacks sufficient political will and strategic coordination.
“If we act decisively, Nigeria can not only feed itself, but become a major food basket for Africa and beyond,” he said.
The lecture was attended by traditional leaders, government officials, academics and members of the public, underscoring the growing urgency of addressing food security in Africa’s most populous nation.