A fresh legislative effort to strengthen Nigeria’s food security framework advanced on Tuesday as a bill seeking the establishment of a National Food Reserve Agency scaled further consideration at the National Assembly.
The proposal was presented during plenary following the report of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on the National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2026 (SB 139), marking a key step toward creating a coordinated national food reserve system.
The bill, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Kwara State Central, Salihu Mustapha, seeks to establish a structured framework for the storage, management, and distribution of strategic food reserves across the country.
According to Mustapha, the proposed agency will enhance national food security by improving the management of food stockpiles and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond to supply disruptions.
“It will also serve as a buffer against food shortages by maintaining a strategic grain reserve that can be deployed during national emergencies, including natural disasters, conflicts, and market instability,” he explained.
The lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, noted that the initiative is designed to ensure better preparedness in addressing food crises.
Nigeria’s agricultural sector has continued to face significant challenges, including insecurity in major farming regions, climate-related disruptions such as flooding and irregular rainfall, and rising costs of farm inputs. These factors have negatively affected production and supply chains.
The situation has contributed to rising food prices, reduced access to affordable staples, and growing concerns over the country’s long-term food security.
Mustapha expressed optimism that the bill, when passed, would help reduce dependence on imported food and promote self-sufficiency in agricultural production.
“I am confident that the passage of this bill will move our nation closer to sustainable food security,” he said.
Margaret ABAH
