6th September, 2024
Former Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi has emphasised the critical link between food insecurity and human security at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Speaking as one of the panellists, Obi stressed the importance of investing in agriculture to address hunger, create jobs, and promote overall security across Africa.
Using Nigeria as a case study, Obi highlighted that food insecurity is a key driver of insecurity in the country.
He called for increased agricultural productivity to reduce reliance on food imports, which would stabilise the national currency and help control inflation.
Obi pointed to the example of Bangladesh, which produces 35-40 million tons of rice annually on land much smaller than Nigeria.
In contrast, he said Nigeria only produces about 3-4 million tons, underscoring Africa’s untapped agricultural potential.
“Africa’s agricultural sector holds immense promise. By investing in it, we can create jobs for our youth, reduce poverty, and tackle hunger,” Peter Obi remarked, urging leaders to prioritize food security as a path to economic growth and human empowerment.
Obi called for sustainable agricultural practices and improvements in food value chains, stating that these measures would lead to more prosperous and secure communities.
He added that “An Africa that feeds itself is at the center of our aspirations.”
