Tinubu Declares State of Emergency on Agriculture to Combat Hunger and Insecurity — Shettima

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on agriculture in response to worsening food insecurity and insurgency challenges in parts of Nigeria, particularly the North-East.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this development while speaking at the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during a session titled “Country Perspectives: Government-led Strategies and Regional Frameworks.”

Shettima explained that the emergency declaration was prompted by the urgent need to stabilize the country’s food systems and address the crisis in conflict-affected regions.

“We met the nation in a dire state,” Shettima said. “President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food out of genuine concern for the well-being of our people, especially in conflict-driven areas like the North-East, where Boko Haram continues to destroy livelihoods and communities.”

As part of the federal government’s response, Shettima announced the creation of Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Units. These units, he said, are designed to work alongside existing institutions to ensure coordinated and efficient delivery of food aid and agricultural support across the country.

“The goal is not to replace current agencies, but to harmonize efforts across the board for more effective food delivery,” he noted. “We’ve also launched food support mechanisms to assist displaced persons and vulnerable populations in regions severely impacted by insurgency.”

Shettima highlighted the importance of achieving food sovereignty, emphasizing that a country reliant on food imports cannot claim full sovereignty.

“In the Sahelian region, where the economy and ecology are closely linked, we must adopt strong policies to prevent our people from falling into further hardship,” he stated. “Hunger doesn’t recognize borders or status, it affects everyone.”

The Vice President also praised multilateral institutions such as the World Food Programme (WFP) for their ongoing support to Nigeria. He revealed that the Tinubu administration is encouraging internally displaced persons (IDPs) to engage in farming to reduce dependence on food aid and rebuild community resilience.

This announcement follows an earlier emergency declaration in March 2025, when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy over a political crisis. That move was based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which permits the president to act decisively during periods of national crisis.

Analysts React

Political analysts have described the emergency declaration on agriculture as one of the administration’s most decisive moves yet, with many seeing it as a necessary intervention amid growing concerns over food inflation and rural insecurity.

However, experts caution that the success of the policy will depend largely on how well the newly created coordinating units perform, particularly in integrating humanitarian support with long-term agricultural development.

The declaration also comes amid renewed speculation about possible cabinet reshuffles. Some observers believe Shettima’s role in leading major government engagements, such as the UN summit, reflects his continued importance within the administration, despite political tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nigeria has faced significant food challenges in recent years, exacerbated by insurgency, flooding, rising inflation, and displacement. According to the United Nations, over 26 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity if urgent action is not taken.

With agriculture accounting for a significant portion of Nigeria’s GDP and employing millions, the Tinubu administration’s response may prove critical in reversing the country’s current trajectory.