Agricultural Development Programmes in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Changing the Narrative of Food Insecurity in Nigeria

Abstract

Hunger and poverty are two parallel evils that pervade the Nigerian landscape. Agricultural development is considered a pertinent tool that can be used to erode this menace. This study examined the agricultural development programmes in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic with a view to changing the narrative of food insecurity in Nigeria. The methodology adopted for the studies is entirely theoretical; hence there was no indication of quantitative analysis or data. The study found that Nigeria as a country has become a victim of what is called the “Malthusian Crisis” in Development Studies, where food production falls below national average as population growth appears not to keep pace with agricultural production. Because of this, hunger and poverty persist unabatedly. The study recommends among other things that a “Big-Push” in the form of huge financial investment in agriculture is required.