Governor Bago Rallies Nigeria Towards Food Sovereignty

News in Brief

-Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has called for decisive action to decolonise Nigeria’s food system.

-He demands investments, collaborations and initiatives that support food sovereignty and economic opportunities for local farmers.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has called for increased investment and urgent decolonisation of Nigeria’s food systems, emphasising the need to move beyond food security towards genuine food sovereignty.

Governor Bago, fondly called the farmer-governor, made the call at the World Food Day Forum organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos.

In his keynote speech Food Security to Food Sovereignty: How Far Has Nigeria Gone? he championed a homegrown approach to food sovereignty, highlighting how ambitious collaborations and transformative initiatives can reshape the future of Nigerian agriculture.​

Decolonising Nigeria’s Food System

Addressing stakeholders at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Governor Bago argued that food sovereignty is more than simple access but about control, dignity, and self-determination.

He criticised Nigeria’s persistent reliance on food imports, warning against continued dependence as unsustainable. “The path forward begins with decolonising our food systems and asserting strategic autonomy over what we eat, how we produce it, and who benefits from it,” he declared.​

Bago expressed concern about the imbalance between Nigeria’s population growth and food production. He noted that while Nigeria’s population surges, food production lags, spurring instability and threatening economic independence. 

He criticised the heavy reliance on imported staples like rice and wheat, calling it 'agricultural imperialism' and advocating bold institutional reforms alongside increased mechanisation, investment in irrigation, and development of value chain infrastructure.​

Niger State Model for Transforming Agriculture Through Collaboration

Highlighting Niger State’s aggressive reforms, Governor Bago announced the signing of a ₦1.8 trillion agreement with Dangote Group through Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Ltd. Also, there is a strategic partnership between Niger and Lagos States, where the state will leverage its large expanse of arable land to produce for Lagos, which is  Nigeria’s largest urban market.

According to the governor, these strategic collaborations aim to establish Niger State as a living model of agricultural transformation.

The Dangote partnership is geared towards producing paddy rice and other staples through large-scale mechanised farming. Under this deal, Niger Foods will supply premium paddy rice and work alongside Dangote’s rice mills and plantations to boost national food sufficiency. Beyond creating thousands of new jobs, the project is set to introduce best practices and traceability across the sector, fostering a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.​

By donating 100,000 hectares of land for the 'Lagos Farm' project, Niger will produce food staples including yams, beans, and livestock destined for Lagos' large urban consumers.

“Lagos consumes the most but has limited land. Niger has the land and water resources. We are growing for Lagos, and this partnership will create thousands of jobs and enhance traceability in our food system,” he explained.

Leveraging Livestock for International Trade and Local Development.

Livestock remains a critical component of Bago’s vision for agricultural diversification. Noting Nigeria’s annual $5 billion spend on meat and dairy imports, the governor urged the federal government to position livestock as a foreign policy priority, particularly with Middle Eastern partners such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

He highlighted the untapped potential of these markets, saying that annual regional demand, including for Hajj, could translate into lucrative export opportunities for Nigerian farmers.​

Women and youth are targeted to benefit from the livestock breeding programmes, aiming to modernise farming communities and stimulate rural economies. 

Call for Mindset Shift

Governor Bago made a strong call for a mindset change was emphatic. “We must move from subsistence to market-oriented agriculture. Farming is not poverty; farmers are the richest people globally. Our mindset must change. We can be farmers and still be leaders, diplomats, and innovators,” he said.

A central part of Bago’s policy and advocacy is improved social protection for farmers. He noted that the state established a microfinance corporation with an initial N2 billion capital to provide single-digit loans to outgrowers, strengthening financial inclusion for agricultural entrepreneurs. 

The state has also procured thousands of tractors and is working with international partners, including IITA and investors from Brazil and Belarus, to boost production capacity. Additional efforts focus on expanding insurance, mortgage, and credit access, making farming more attractive and sustainable as a modern enterprise.​

NIIA’s Endowment: Sustaining the Policy Dialogue

In recognition of Bago’s contributions, NIIA’s Director General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, commemorated World Food Day by announcing the establishment of the Governor Mohammed Umar Bago Chair in Food and Human Security. 

This academic endowment, open to international applicants, aims to expand research and policy innovation around food security, youth and women empowerment, and inclusive growth. Osaghae praised Niger’s geopolitical significance and Bago’s leadership in agricultural diplomacy, forging global alliances and driving mechanisation across the state.