Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has decried Nigeria’s ranking among the world’s most hunger-stricken nations, saying the country has no justification for such a position given its vast agricultural potential and resources.

Obi stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the “Food Systems Changemakers’ Conference 2025,” organised by Sahel Consulting Limited and its partners.

The former governor lamented that despite Nigeria’s enormous arable land and human capital, millions of citizens still suffer from food insecurity, describing the situation as “regrettable and unacceptable.”

“Food is a critical component of our existence, and for Nigeria to be among the most hungry countries of the world while we have all the resources is very regrettable,” Obi said.

“The agri-sector is very critical for our future. We can’t talk about development if our people cannot have a healthy meal. They cannot live well.”

He called for renewed innovation and investment in agribusiness, stressing that agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economic sustainability.

“Nigeria must innovate to sustain its food systems to meet the growing food demands. We have no reason whatsoever to be among the most hungry nations of the world when we have vast uncultivated land and millions of energetic youths who can be empowered to change things,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced plans to generate a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030, with agriculture playing a pivotal role in achieving that target.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this while addressing participants at the conference.

He said the government is reviewing the National Development Plan to ensure that the agricultural sector receives the priority it deserves in the forthcoming 2026–2030 development framework.

According to him, “Mr President has challenged us to generate a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030 in an inclusive manner, which covers agriculture.

Food systems are one of the major drivers of that growth. We are mapping our economic and agricultural potentials across the local government areas to build a solid foundation for this goal.”

Bagudu emphasised that sustainable food systems are central to national development, adding that the private sector must play a leading role in driving agricultural transformation.
“We are putting in place policies and programmes that will ensure that those who participate in our economy are richly rewarded,” he said.

He noted that the theme of the conference, ‘Designing for Legacy: Building Resilient and Impact-Driven Food Systems,’ underscores the need for innovation, creativity, and technology in building a sustainable agricultural future for Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of ONE Campaign, Mrs Ndidi Nwuneli, described innovation as a game-changer in developing resilient food systems.

According to her, entrepreneurs and changemakers have a critical role to play in shaping the future of food and nutrition in the country. “Every Nigerian child deserves a healthy meal and the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life. For that to happen, nutritious food must be available, affordable, and accessible. The food systems must function well,” she said.

The conference brought together policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, and innovators to discuss strategies for achieving food security and transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.