As the world marks World Food Day 2025 with the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” Nigerians are confronted with a harsh reality; the rising cost of food has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
From rice to garri, yams to vegetables, prices of staple foods have soared beyond the reach of ordinary households. Many families now struggle to afford a balanced meal, and for some, hunger has become a daily companion. This deepens inequality, erodes health, and threatens national stability.
The crisis is driven by multiple factors; insecurity in farming regions, high inflation, poor infrastructure, and the weakening naira, all combining to make food production and distribution costly and unsustainable. Yet, amid these challenges lies an opportunity for collective action.
To build a better food future, we must first strengthen local agricultural systems through investment in smallholder farmers, rural infrastructure, and climate-resilient farming. Farmers need access to affordable credit, storage facilities, and modern tools to increase productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
Secondly, Nigeria must encourage local food processing and market linkages that cut off exploitative middlemen. Supporting cooperatives and community-based value addition can help stabilize prices while creating jobs.
Lastly, targeted social safety nets such as food vouchers, school feeding programs, and conditional cash transfers can cushion vulnerable families while long-term solutions take root.
The theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” reminds us that no single sector can fix this crisis alone. Government, private investors, farmers, and citizens must unite with shared resolve.
A nourished nation is a productive nation. As we commemorate this year’s World Food Day, may we move beyond awareness to collective action; ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of status, has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food.
