Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has cautioned that the recent decline in food prices, while welcomed by many consumers, may carry serious long-term consequences for farmers and the nation’s agricultural sustainability.
Speaking at a public event, the former governor and chieftain of the Labour Party argued that increased importation of cheaper food items is gradually weakening domestic agricultural production and discouraging local farmers.
According to him, the short-term relief Nigerians feel from lower food costs could mask deeper structural problems within the economy.
“Somebody called me today when I walked in here and told me that the food prices have gone down. We’ve killed our farmers by importing cheap goods from outside Nigeria and throwing our farmers into poverty by worsening the hungry situation in the country,” he said.
Concern Over Import-Driven Price Drops
Obi stressed that reliance on imported food may create an uneven playing field, where local farmers struggle to compete with subsidised or mass-produced goods entering the market at lower prices. Over time, he warned, this could push many farmers out of business, reduce rural incomes, and increase unemployment in agricultural communities.
He noted that agriculture remains a critical backbone of Nigeria’s economy, employing millions of people directly and indirectly. Any policy direction that undermines farmers, he suggested, risks deepening poverty and food insecurity rather than solving it.
Balancing Affordability With Sustainability
While acknowledging that Nigerians naturally welcome cheaper food amid rising living costs, Obi maintained that price reductions driven by imports are not a sustainable solution.
“Crashing food prices will make our farmers poor. We must ensure high food prices to save the farmers,” he added.
Call for Strategic Agricultural Support
The former presidential candidate called for policies that protect local producers, encourage investment in farming, and strengthen value chains such as storage, processing, and transportation. Such measures, he argued, would help stabilise prices without sacrificing the livelihoods of those who produce the nation’s food.
Economic observers say the debate highlights the delicate balance policymakers must strike between making food affordable for consumers and ensuring farmers remain profitable enough to continue production.
