Nigeria’s capacity to achieve food security took centre stage at the ongoing Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Week 2026 in Kaduna, as policymakers, academics and communication experts called for urgent reforms in agriculture and livestock development.
The high level panel session, themed “Can Nigeria Feed Itself ”, brought together key stakeholders to examine challenges and opportunities in food production, nutrition and policy communication across the country.
Moderated by veteran broadcaster, Chief Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, the session featured the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, alongside Dr Brylyne Chitsunge, Ambassador for Food Security at the Pan African Parliament, Mr Arik Karani, President of the African Public Relations Association, and Prof. Demo Kalla of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Speaking during the session, Maiha expressed concern over Nigeria’s low consumption rates of animal-based protein, noting that inadequate intake of milk, eggs and meat was affecting national nutrition and cognitive development among children.
He said despite Nigeria’s vast livestock potential, the country remained in a “comfort zone,” failing to fully harness its resources to meet both domestic and regional demand.
According to the minister, Nigeria currently records one of the lowest growth rates globally in milk and meat consumption, a situation he described as detrimental to human capital development.
Maiha highlighted a disconnect between agricultural policies and public awareness, stressing that poor communication had contributed to negative perceptions of farming and livestock production.
He noted that agriculture was often portrayed as a struggling and unprofitable venture, discouraging young people from venturing into the sector.
“Agriculture is not an old people’s business; it is a profitable, daily yielding enterprise capable of transforming economies,” he said.
The minister revealed that Nigeria spends about 1.5 billion dollars annually on dairy imports, despite having the capacity to significantly boost local production through improved livestock genetics and better management practices.
He explained that while Nigerian cows produce minimal milk daily, improved breeds in other countries yield significantly higher outputs, underscoring the need for modernisation.
Maiha said the ministry was implementing policies to enhance productivity, including the introduction of superior genetic materials, support for dairy value chains, and investment in infrastructure such as cold storage, processing and distribution systems.
He added that opportunities abound across the livestock sector, including meat processing, dairy aggregation, feed production, and animal breeding, all of which could generate sustainable income.
The minister also identified the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a major market for Nigerian livestock products, urging investors to tap into regional demand.
On his part, Mr Arik Karani emphasised the critical role of communication in reshaping perceptions about agriculture, noting that the sector must be repositioned as a viable and rewarding profession.
Karani said there was an urgent need to educate the public and promote agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and food security across Africa.
Prof. Demo Kalla, in his contribution, painted a grim picture of food insecurity, describing it as a widespread challenge particularly in rural areas where access to quality nutrition remains limited.
He linked rising global conflicts and economic pressures to increased costs of agricultural inputs, warning that such trends could further strain Nigeria’s food systems.
Kalla called for policy alignment, mechanization and inclusive strategies that integrate smallholder farmers into national development plans.
He also urged communication practitioners to combat misinformation and highlight investment opportunities within the agricultural sector.
On making agriculture attractive to younger generations, Kalla stressed the need to integrate technology and innovation into farming practices, saying “the era of lamentation is over.”
He encouraged students and youths to view agriculture as a science driven enterprise with vast potential for wealth creation.
The session concluded with a consensus on the need for coordinated efforts between government, private sector and communication professionals to drive a new narrative for agriculture in Nigeria.
In a related development, a second panel session at the event focused on “Communication for Food Policy, Food Production and Food Branding in Africa,” emphasizing proactive dissemination of government policies to targeted audiences.
The session was moderated by Dr Obinna Ezeobi of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board
The session further underscored the importance of strategic communication in achieving food security objectives across the continent
