The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the federal government is implementing reforms and programmes designed to strengthen agricultural productivity and food supply chains.

Mr Idris said this at a Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement Session convened by the federal ministry of agriculture and food security in Abuja.

A statement on the minister’s position at the session was made available to journalists on Friday by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.

In the statement, the minister said food security was central to Nigeria’s economic stability, national independence and poverty reduction.

He explained that agriculture occupied a strategic position in the broader economic reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Food security is national security; a nation that feeds itself strengthens its independence, stabilises prices, creates jobs and reduces poverty,” the minister said.

He noted that the session is a reflection of Mr Tinubu’s governing philosophy of transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation in governance

According to the minister, the federal government is committed to keeping Nigerians informed and involved in the policy-making process.

“Governance must not operate in isolation from the people; it must be open, responsive and anchored on dialogue.

“Today’s engagement demonstrates this administration’s commitment to keeping Nigerians informed and involved,” he said

Mr Idris urged stakeholders, development partners, civil society organisations, and the media to continue supporting government efforts to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector and build a more resilient food system.

Speaking on the economy, Mr Idris recalled that when the administration assumed office, Nigeria faced significant economic challenges, including fiscal pressures, subsidy burdens and exchange rate distortions, which required decisive reforms.

He said Mr Tinubu took difficult but necessary decisions which were already yielding encouraging results, with improvements in government revenue, renewed investors’ confidence and stronger engagement with international partners.

The minister also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security across farming communities and transportation corridors.

He added that the administration was investing heavily in infrastructure development, including roads, rail, power and digital connectivity, to support economic expansion and improve market access for agricultural produce across the country.

Mr Idris commended the minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari, for convening the forum for dialogue between government and citizens on policies aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food security framework.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr Kyari said the federal government made food security a top priority, acknowledging the critical role it played in maintaining national stability and sovereignty

He said his ministry remained committed to working closely with farmers, development partners, and the private sector to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve value chains, and ensure that food remains available, accessible, and affordable for all Nigerians.

The minister added that ongoing initiatives in fertiliser distribution, mechanisation, improved seeds, irrigation and farmer support programmes are already contributing to increased agricultural output.

Minister of state for agriculture and food security Aliyu Abdullahi and permanent secretary in the ministry, Marcus Ogunbiyi, were among the dignitaries at the event.

 (NAN)