North East Governors Sound Alarm on Nigeria Agricultural Crisis

Nigeria’s six North East governors have issued urgent warnings about escalating agricultural input costs and impending flood disasters threatening food security across the region during their latest forum meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State. The governors, representing approximately 30 million people, declared that soaring fertilizer and farming input costs could trigger widespread hunger if immediate government intervention is not forthcoming, while simultaneously calling for proactive flood mitigation measures following credible climate risk forecasts.

The North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), comprising leaders from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states, convened their 12th meeting on Saturday amid growing concerns about the region’s agricultural sustainability. The forum’s chairman and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, led discussions addressing what officials described as “daunting humanitarian and infrastructural challenges” that continue to plague Nigeria’s northeastern corridor despite significant security improvements against insurgency operations.

Rising Agricultural Input Costs Threaten Food Production

The governors expressed alarm over dramatic increases in fertilizer and agricultural input prices, with recent market data showing 50-kilogram bags of Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer now costing between N110,000 and N120,000, representing more than double the 2024 prices of approximately N50,000. Similarly, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer has surged to N50,000-N55,000 per 50-kilogram bag from N23,000 the previous year, creating significant financial barriers for smallholder farmers who constitute the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

This price surge reflects broader economic pressures affecting Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, including naira devaluation, fuel subsidy removal, and import dependency for essential agricultural chemicals and equipment. Farmer testimonials from across the region indicate that production costs have increased by up to 40 percent, forcing many to reduce cultivation scope or abandon farming entirely. The situation is particularly acute in Taraba State, where insecurity and high input costs have already reduced farming activities in local government areas including Ussa, Ardo-Kola, Karim-Lamido, and Wukari.

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State highlighted specific infrastructure needs during his welcome address, appealing to the Federal Government and North East Development Commission (NEDC) to expedite reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area, which was destroyed by flooding in 2024. The bridge’s collapse has disrupted transportation networks essential for moving agricultural produce to markets, exacerbating food supply chain challenges across the region.

Industry experts warn that without substantial government subsidies and support mechanisms, Nigeria faces potential food crisis conditions as production costs continue outpacing farmers’ economic capacity. The Food and Agriculture Organization has already identified approximately 26.5 million Nigerians as facing acute food insecurity risks, with northeastern states among the most vulnerable populations due to ongoing security challenges and climate-related disruptions.

Flood Disaster Warnings Compound Regional Challenges

The governors issued stark warnings about impending flood disasters based on forecasts from credible climate agencies, calling for immediate proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities along flood plains. Recent flooding events across the region have demonstrated the devastating impact on agricultural production, with Borno State experiencing severe inundation in September 2024 that displaced thousands and destroyed farmlands, homes, and critical infrastructure.

Climate data indicates that northeastern Nigeria has experienced increasingly severe torrential rains, leading to unprecedented flooding in communities including Miringa in Biu local government area, where two children lost their lives, and Dikwa, where traditional clay houses collapsed under flood pressure. The governors emphasized that flood risks extend beyond immediate humanitarian concerns to encompass long-term food security implications as productive agricultural land becomes unusable and farming communities face repeated displacement.

The forum’s communiqué specifically called for federal government and NEDC support to reconstruct damaged infrastructure, particularly bridges destroyed by flooding. Transportation networks remain critical for agricultural supply chains, enabling farmers to access inputs, transport produce to markets, and maintain economic viability. The governors noted that many bridges across the region require immediate attention to prevent further economic isolation of rural farming communities.

Regional climate experts have linked the intensifying flood patterns to broader climate change impacts affecting West Africa, with Nigeria experiencing temperature increases, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events that disrupt traditional farming calendars. The governors emphasized that addressing these challenges requires coordinated federal, state, and international cooperation to build climate resilience infrastructure and support adaptive agricultural practices.

The forum announced plans for a North East Trade Fair in Maiduguri, Borno State, scheduled for December 2025 in partnership with the North East Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NECCIMA). This initiative aims to stimulate economic recovery and provide platforms for agricultural producers to access broader markets despite ongoing challenges.

Additionally, the governors committed to addressing energy poverty through their Committee on Power and Energy, tasking it with developing an integrated subregional power masterplan with particular emphasis on solar energy solutions. Reliable electricity access remains crucial for agricultural processing, storage, and value-addition activities that can improve farmer incomes and food security outcomes.

Expert Analysis and Broader Economic Implications

Agricultural economists and policy experts have responded to the governors’ warnings with calls for comprehensive federal intervention addressing structural challenges beyond immediate price subsidies. Recent analysis indicates that Nigeria’s agricultural sector growth has slowed to 0.07 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, representing a concerning decline from previous quarters and highlighting the urgent need for policy reforms addressing production constraints.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has emphasized that manufacturing sector effectiveness depends heavily on agricultural sector performance, noting that boosting agricultural production could ease food inflation pressures while supporting broader economic stability. Industry leaders advocate for improved policy implementation, enhanced credit access for farmers, and strengthened monitoring systems to ensure agricultural interventions reach intended beneficiaries.

Governor Zulum’s recent initiatives in Borno State provide potential models for regional agricultural recovery, including 50 percent fertilizer subsidies and targeted distribution programs reaching vulnerable farmers, returnees, and women’s groups across 27 local government areas. These programs demonstrate practical approaches to making agricultural inputs accessible while maintaining security considerations in conflict-affected areas.

The governors’ warnings align with broader national food security concerns as Nigeria grapples with inflation rates exceeding 22 percent and widespread economic pressures affecting household food access. Recent data indicates that approximately 30.6 million Nigerians experienced acute food insecurity during the June-August 2025 lean season, with northeastern states among the most severely affected regions.

Federal agricultural policy initiatives, including President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, aim to address some production constraints through tractor distribution and modernization efforts. However, stakeholders emphasize that equipment availability must be coupled with input affordability, market access improvements, and infrastructure development to achieve meaningful impact on food security outcomes.

The North East Governors’ Forum has scheduled its next meeting for December 12-14, 2025, in Maiduguri, where members will review progress on flood mitigation efforts, agricultural support programs, and infrastructure reconstruction initiatives. The forum continues advocating for multidimensional approaches addressing security, economic development, and social integration across the subregion while emphasizing agriculture’s critical role in sustainable peace-building and economic recovery.