N'Assembly pushes bill to strengthen food security

A fresh legislative push to enhance Nigeria’s food security framework gained momentum on Tuesday as a bill seeking to establish a National Food Reserve Agency scaled legislative consideration at plenary. The move followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on the National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2026 (SB 139) during plenary, marking a significant step toward institutionalising a coordinated national food reserve framework. The bill, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Kwara Central, Senator Salihu Mustapha, seeks to create a structured mechanism for the storage, management, and distribution of strategic food reserves to mitigate the impact of shortages and emergencies across the country. “As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and sponsor of this important bill, I presented the committee’s report on the National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2026,” he said. He highlighted that the legislation seeks to establish the National Food Reserve Agency to strengthen national food security by ensuring efficient management of food reserves and improving the nation’s preparedness for unforeseen supply disruptions. “It will also empower the agency to serve as a buffer against food shortages by maintaining a strategic grain reserve that can be deployed swiftly during national emergencies, including natural disasters, conflicts, and market instability,” the lawmaker noted. Nigeria’s agricultural sector has in recent years faced mounting challenges, including insecurity in major food-producing regions, climate-related disruptions such as flooding and irregular rainfall patterns, as well as rising costs of farm inputs, all of which have negatively affected food production and supply chains. These challenges have contributed to persistent increases in food prices, reduced access to affordable staples for many households, and heightened concerns over the country’s ability to achieve sustainable food security without stronger institutional support mechanisms. “I am confident that the passage of this bill will move our nation closer to achieving sustainable food security, reduce reliance on external food sources, and promote greater self-sufficiency in agricultural production,” he added.