The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have issued a unified call for a radical shift from short-term humanitarian aid to sustained, production-oriented investment to build resilient food systems in conflict-prone areas of Nigeria and across Africa.
The call was made during a joint session on the sidelines of the Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja, themed: “Investing in Innovative Food Systems Solutions in Challenging Contexts.”
Food Security is About Peace and Dignity
Mr. Mohamed Fall, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, stressed that the conversation around food security extends far beyond agriculture, anchoring it firmly in the geopolitical landscape.
“What we discuss today, food, innovation, resilience is not only about agriculture. It is about peace, it is about stability, it is about dignity of the people that we are serving,” Mr. Fall stated. He highlighted the extraordinary resilience witnessed in vulnerable areas. “Across the North, from Yobe to Kano, from Maiduguri to Katsina, we witness courage in the face of adversity. Farmers returning to their fields… Even in hard soil, resistance is taking root.”
Mr. Fall emphasized that increasing investments is crucial to strengthen resilience and address food insecurity in fragile regions. He cited a joint study by the WFP, AfDB, and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) which concluded that food systems in fragile contexts are not fundamentally broken, but merely “unfinished,” requiring renewed trust, investment, and partnerships to complete them.
He pointed to national efforts as proof of concept, noting that Nigeria’s recent progress under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro-Pocket, which has tripled wheat production within one year, demonstrates the profound potential of coordinated policy and investment. He confirmed the UN system would continue supporting Nigeria’s agenda through programs aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, boosting local production, and linking farmers directly to markets.
Moving from Humanitarian Aid to Investment Solutions
Dr. Abdul Kamara, Director-General of the AfDB’s Nigeria Country Department, moderated the session and reinforced the need for structural change, arguing that despite conflict and climate challenges, Nigeria still holds vast agricultural potential.
Dr. Kamara asserted that Africa must transition “from fragmented interventions and commitments to comprehensive, action-oriented, and life-scale investments” that integrate humanitarian response with long-term resilience and economic growth. This is particularly vital for supporting small families in the hardest-hit regions.
He underscored the immense financial stakes, revealing that over $10 billion USD has been spent on humanitarian interventions in Northern Nigeria since the onset of conflict. He argued that similar resources, if strategically invested in production and resilience infrastructure, could have fundamentally transformed the region’s food security landscape.
Dr. Kamara detailed the AfDB’s strategy, calling for innovative financing mechanisms, strong national ownership, and breakthroughs in technology and policy to unlock the continent’s potential. He referenced the new joint WFP and AfDB study, which mapped investment opportunities across Northern Nigeria, identifying high-potential areas for value-chain development and private sector participation.
A Blueprint for Resilience
The call by the UN and AfDB is directly aligned with the successful models already demonstrating viability in Nigeria. The kind of long-term, investment-driven approach advocated for by Dr. Kamara is exemplified by programs such as the IFAD-supported Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).
Through the VCDP’s Public-Private-Producer Partnership (4Ps) model , the project has successfully leveraged public funds to catalyze significant private sector commitment. This institutional approach de-risked the supply chain, leading to the mobilization of over $57 million USD in dedicated private infrastructure investment. Furthermore, VCDP beneficiaries have seen rice yields increase by 125% to 200% , demonstrating how strategic capital investment and the deployment of improved technologies lead to sustainable and world-class productivity gains.
Dr. Kamara urged development partners, government, and the private sector to co-invest in sustainable solutions that will expand food production, strengthen storage and processing facilities, and increase access to finance for farmers.
Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to advancing resilient food systems through inclusive investments that will promote peace, create jobs, and ensure long-term food security in Nigeria.