As the world marked World Food Day on October 16, 2025, under the theme "hand in hand for better foods and a better future," the industry acknowledged the necessity for a fundamental shift in the national agricultural strategy. The consensus among major stakeholders is that the country must move beyond the defensive goal of "food security" and commit to achieving food sovereignty.
Food sovereignty, in this context, is defined not merely as ensuring enough caloric intake, but as controlling the entire food system-from production and processing to distribution-to ensure national resilience and self-reliance. Industry analysts argue that this objective is directly synonymous with comprehensive national development and is a non-negotiable component of national security.
To construct a durable future, the prevailing view is that policy must be anchored in data rather than political rhetoric. This requires a frank confrontation with the numerical reality of Nigeria's agricultural paradox.