In response to the pressing food insecurity facing the nation, President Bola Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency on food security.
The government said the rising cost of food and its profound impact on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians prompted this crucial intervention.
Presidential spokesperson, Dele Alake, in the press statement, listed some of the steps the government wants to take in implementing the state of emergency, including the immediate distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households, as well as the protection of farms and farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.”
Declaring a state of emergency is not particularly new to the Nigerian system.
In the past, there have been instances where authorities declared a state of emergency due to civil unrest, armed conflict, or epidemics.
Such declarations give the government the authority to use extra powers to impose measures strict measures in order to restore order and protect citizens.
The recently declared “state of emergency” on food insecurity, therefore, raises concerns about declining purchasing power, low income, and the impact of climate change on food prices.
It is important to add that policies such as the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of currency rates have exacerbated the situation.
Many Nigerians are now questioning the causes of food insecurity as well as the legal ramifications of the declaration of a state of emergency.
Is the Government’s plan workable?
With the government’s promise to deploy immediate measures, it is imperative to critically review the strategies put forth and question the feasibility of this ambitious plan.
While the government’s plan to release fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal may provide short-term relief, it raises questions about the sustainability of such a strategy.
Will it be a one-off intervention, or will there be a systematic approach to ensure continuous support to farmers and households?
The same goes for the intention to promote collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources.
It is questionable how the plan will ensure equitable water distribution across the country’s farming communities, particularly in drought-prone areas.
While it is commendable that the government wants to use security architecture to protect farmers and farmlands from attacks, it is imperative to note that agriculture has long been disrupted in conflict-affected regions of Nigeria, including in the northeast, northwest, and north-central geopolitical zones. This has resulted in a shortage of food production and distribution.
Also, bad roads and poor transportation systems, inadequate storage facilities and continuous increased demand for food due to population increase are making it difficult to meet the people’s needs.
There are also supply chain disruptions and logistical challenges causing significant damage to the food grown by farmers.
State of emergency not far reaching
Under the state of emergency just declared, the government also aims to activate land banks and clear forests for farming. It also said it would utilise 500,000 hectares of mapped land to increase arable land availability. However, we are compelled to ask if the environmental impact of such large-scale clearance has been considered.
Other measures proposed by the Tinubu administration to improve food security are: utilizing river basins for year-round farming, providing concessionary funding to the agricultural sector, and facilitating trade.
We hold that the success of these plans relies on an efficient water management and irrigation system, infrastructure investments, and thoughtful planning.
Importantly, like many similar interventions, the workability of the state of emergency on food security depends on other factors, such as the cost of governance, corruption and poor implementation. We do not believe that the cause is helped by the seemingly hurried way with which the government went to town with the declaration.
Nigerians have so far had to put up with hurried policies and dire consequences on their day-to-day living. The state of emergency does not look far-reaching and practical enough to merit their buy-in.
