Farmers and agricultural stakeholders across Nigeria are raising alarms over the growing insecurity in several farming communities. Many fear that the recent wave of attacks on villages could severely impact this year’s planting season—and worsen the country’s already fragile food situation.
They point to ongoing violence in key agrarian states like Benue, Borno, Niger, Plateau, and Zamfara. If these attacks by bandits and insurgents continue, experts warn Nigeria could be staring down a full-blown food crisis by next year.
But insecurity isn’t the only concern. Farmers say delays in the release of essential farming inputs, coupled with the effects of climate change, are making an already tough situation even harder.
With the 2025 wet-season farming period just kicking off, many communities are already bracing for a possible drop in food production.
And the numbers are worrying.
According to the latest figures from the HumAngle Security Tracker, 1,420 people—many of them farmers—were killed in violent attacks between January and March 2025. During that same period, 537 individuals were kidnapped across the country.
The fear is clear: if nothing changes soon, Nigeria could face severe food shortages next year.
Stakeholders are urging the government to act fast—by improving security in rural areas, ensuring timely delivery of farming inputs, and addressing the broader challenges posed by climate change.
