Obasanjo and Sanusi Push for Food Security in Nigeria

At the 2026 AgriConnectX Summit in Lagos, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo called for urgent government action to restore peace in farming communities plagued by insecurity, which he stated negatively affects food production capacity. He highlighted the pain farmers endure, with many abandoning their farms due to fears of violence and theft.

Obasanjo stressed the government's responsibility to ensure farmers can cultivate food securely and affordably. Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, delivered the keynote address, advocating for the establishment of proper infrastructure and consistent agricultural policies to bolster investor confidence and economic growth.

He criticized the influx of cheap imported food, which undermines local producers and leads to financial losses for banks and investors in the agricultural sector. Temire Bob-Egbe, Co-Founder of AgriConnectX, noted the initiative aims to bridge gaps in the agribusiness value chain by providing young people with market access, training, mentorship, and grants.