General News
Can Urban Farming Contribute Meaningfully to Nigeria’s Food Security?
By Diana Tenebe, Chief Operating Officer, Foodstuff Store
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faces a complex web of food security challenges. Soaring food inflation, exacerbated by climate extremes, persistent insecurity in food-producing regions, and an inadequate supply of nutritious foods, has pushed millions into acute hunger. Despite vast agricultural resources, the country ranks low on the Global Food Security Index, underscoring a critical need for innovative solutions. Amidst this backdrop, urban farming, often dismissed as a niche activity, is gaining traction as a strategy to enhance food security, create income opportunities, and promote sustainable practices in urban areas.
Urban farming, encompassing a range of practices from rooftop gardens and vertical farms to community plots and aquaculture, offers the potential to localise food production, reduce reliance on distant supply chains, and enhance access to fresh, nutritious produce. As Nigerian cities continue to urbanise, converting agricultural land to other uses, the importance of maximizing food production within urban limits becomes crucial.
One of the most immediate and impactful contributions of urban farming is its ability to enhance food availability and access. By cultivating crops within city limits, fresh produce can reach consumers more quickly, drastically reducing post-harvest losses and transportation costs. This localised production directly addresses issues of food scarcity, especially for vulnerable urban populations who often struggle with the high cost and limited availability of fresh food. Successful initiatives in Lagos for instance have demonstrated how urban farms can become reliable sources of fruits, vegetables, and even protein through urban livestock and aquaculture for surrounding communities.
Beyond mere availability, urban farming plays a crucial role in improving nutritional outcomes and dietary diversity. Access to fresh, diverse produce encourages healthier eating habits, helping to combat prevalent issues like protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. When families cultivate their own food, they gain greater control over its quality and freshness, often opting for more nutritious varieties. This direct link between cultivation and consumption can lead to a measurable increase in dietary diversity within urban households.
Urban farming is not just about subsistence; it holds substantial economic promise and fosters job creation. It directly generates employment opportunities in various stages, including planting, harvesting, processing, and distribution. Small-scale urban farmers can sell their surplus produce at local markets, generating income and fostering entrepreneurship. This can be particularly impactful for Nigeria’s large youth population, offering a viable path to employment and self-reliance in a landscape of high unemployment. Initiatives that provide training and access to markets, like “FarmInTheCity” in Lagos, exemplify how urban farming can blossom into full-scale enterprises.
Urban farming contributes significantly to environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Innovative urban farming techniques, such as hydroponics and vertical farming, are inherently resource-efficient, using less land and water compared to traditional agriculture. They also reduce “food miles,” significantly lowering carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation. Additionally, urban green spaces created by farming initiatives can help mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and enhance urban biodiversity. This makes urban farming a crucial component of climate adaptation strategies, helping cities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, such as erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts that affect traditional agriculture.
Finally, community gardens and collaborative urban farming projects serve as powerful tools for fostering community cohesion and social impact. They provide shared spaces where residents can connect, build knowledge, and foster a sense of community pride and ownership. These initiatives can also serve as educational platforms, promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about local food systems. This collaborative spirit can be particularly beneficial in diverse urban settings, breaking down social barriers and strengthening community bonds.
For Urban farming to work in Nigeria, policy support and integration are crucial. Governments at all levels need to recognize urban farming as a legitimate and vital part of the food system. This involves developing supportive policies, streamlining land-use regulations, and integrating urban agriculture into city planning. Second, capacity building and education are essential. Investing in education and training programs is vital. Access to finance and technology is a significant factor for urban farmers. Innovative financing models, perhaps incorporating “pay-as-you-grow” schemes for technology adoption, are needed. Also, leveraging technology like mobile apps for market access can significantly boost productivity. Lastly, adequate infrastructure, including reliable energy sources and efficient storage facilities, is crucial to minimize post-harvest losses and ensure the economic viability of urban farms.
Urban farming in Nigeria is more than just a passing trend; it can represent a tangible and impactful pathway towards enhanced food security. By embracing innovative approaches, fostering supportive policies, and empowering urban communities with the necessary resources and knowledge, Nigeria can unlock the immense potential of its cities to feed their populations, create economic opportunities, and build a more resilient and sustainable future. The revolution of urban farming, if nurtured effectively, can indeed contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s quest for food security.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned of rising cryptocurrency-related crimes, revealing that illicit digital currency transactions exceeded $160 billion globally in 2025.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, raised the concern during the inauguration of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Programme for Nigeria (2026–2030) in Abuja.
Olukoyede, warned that digital currencies such as Bitcoin are increasingly being exploited by criminal networks to move funds across borders undetected.
According to him, advances in technology, weak regulatory frameworks, and gaps in global financial systems have created fertile ground for cyber-enabled financial crimes.
The anti-graft agency boss stressed that tackling cryptocurrency crime required coordinated national strategies, stronger institutions, and intelligence-driven enforcement.
According to him, the new UNODC programme comes at a critical time when Nigeria and the global community are facing growing threats from organised crime, cybercrime, and illicit financial flows.
Olukoyede described the initiative as a strategic platform to strengthen the rule of law, improve the criminal justice system, and protect citizens from financial and violent crimes.
Musa Aliyu, chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in his comments, called for stronger inter-agency cooperation.
Aliyu said Nigeria faced interconnected threats, including violent extremism, smuggling, organised crime, and illicit financial flows, warning that no single agency could address them alone.
Federal government has awarded N50 million each to 45 students selected from 65 finalists drawn from public and private tertiary institutions nationwide under the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG).
Tunji Alausa, minister of Education, unveiled the initiative at the weekend at the United Nations Development Programme Innovation Hub in Ikoyi, Lagos, describing it as a bold step toward positioning Nigerian youth as drivers of global innovation.
Alausa said the programme marked a significant shift in education policy, aimed at empowering students through innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development. He noted that the grant offers equity-free funding, mentorship, incubation, and access to digital tools.
He explained that the beneficiaries emerged after a rigorous selection process involving over 30,000 applicants from more than 400 tertiary institutions across the country, culminating in a three-day bootcamp and pitch session before industry experts.
According to the minister, the initiative is designed to transform tertiary institutions into hubs of innovation and economic development, enabling students to move from ideation to commercialisation and become job creators.
“Today is not just another programme event. We are activating a new future for Nigerian students where great ideas are nurtured into impactful solutions,” he said.
Also speaking, Suwaiba Ahmad, minister of State for Education, described student entrepreneurship as a critical national strategy for job creation and economic growth. She emphasised the need for institutions to move beyond theory and support students in translating ideas into viable enterprises.
Similarly, Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, commended the initiative, urging beneficiaries to focus on building sustainable and impactful solutions rather than pursuing short-term gains.
He advised students to adopt consistency and long-term thinking, noting that small, sustained efforts could lead to meaningful innovation and societal impact.
In her goodwill message, Elsie Attafuah reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to supporting Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
She encouraged beneficiaries to refine their ideas, respond to market needs, and contribute meaningfully to national development through innovative solutions.
The minister acknowledged key partners, including the UNDP, Google, and the Bank of Industry, for their support in implementing the initiative and expanding opportunities for young innovators across Nigeria.
The Federal Government has launched the ‘Cross-Border Digital Payments and Identity in Nigeria under the AfCFTA’ report, urging stakeholders to unlock trade opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to access the $3.5 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market.
The high-level report, hosted by the Office of the Vice-President in collaboration with ODI Global under the Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) programme, was unveiled on Monday by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, in Abuja.
Hadejia described the research as both timely and strategic, noting the strong coordination by the Office of the Vice-President and the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
He revealed that the cross-border payments report followed earlier milestones, including the development and launch of Nigeria’s Digital Trade Strategy and a capacity-building programme for subnational leaders.
According to him, Nigeria is increasingly assuming a leading role in shaping the digital trade agenda across the African continent, necessitating that the country remains at the forefront of AfCFTA implementation.
He noted that deepening engagement with AfCFTA and enabling businesses, particularly SMEs, to conduct seamless cross-border transactions will be critical to unlocking trade, fostering growth, and creating jobs.
He further stated that efficient cross-border payments, supported by trusted digital identity systems as recommended in the report, will be key to realising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision for Nigerian MSMEs.
Hadejia also observed that while the report identifies the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System as a critical platform for cross-border digital payments, Nigerian fintech firms such as PalmPay and Moniepoint, which have some of the largest and most active user bases, will play a pivotal role in driving adoption.
He assured the audience that the Federal Government remains committed to strengthening critical infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and partnerships to ensure Nigeria is not only ready for digital trade but continues to lead.
“I appreciate the efforts of all stakeholders and urge us to move AfCFTA beyond a continental agreement to a $3.5 trillion trade juggernaut that will reinvigorate our industries, unlock intra-African trade, and domesticate African prosperity,” he added.
Hadejia stated that intra-African trade will be driven not only by large corporations but by small businesses empowered through digital trade and e-commerce, while noting that issues of trust, identity and logistics, as highlighted in the report, must be addressed.
Commenting on the report, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, said the report – developed under the purview of the Office of the Vice-President – would significantly strengthen the MSME ecosystem.
He explained that cross-border payments in Nigeria and across Africa have historically been largely informal and inefficient but noted that the emergence of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) systems is changing the landscape.
Adekunle-Johnson expressed optimism that the report’s findings and recommendations would enable Nigerian SMEs to achieve seamless access to continental markets.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the President on ICT Policy, Office of the Vice-President, Salihu Dasuki, disclosed that the office, in partnership with development partners, has developed a framework to fast-track seamless cross-border payments for MSMEs.
He added that a key pillar of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is enabling Nigerians to access digital trade, which informed the capacity-building programme conducted for subnational governments last year.
Also speaking, Special Assistant to the President on Project Support, Office of the Vice-President, Shuda Ahmed, commended ODI Global for leading the research underpinning the report.
She noted that without seamless and affordable cross-border payment systems, MSMEs across the continent would be unable to scale beyond their domestic markets.
The event was attended by officials of ODI Global, representatives of AfCFTA, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and MSMEs, among other key stakeholders.
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