Manny Ita –
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has issued a stern warning regarding a looming food crisis across the federation, citing the continuous surge in the pump price of petrol as a primary catalyst. In a statement addressing the current energy crisis, AFAN National President Mohammed Magaji emphasized that the hike, which has seen petrol prices fluctuate toward the ₦1,200 per litre mark in recent days, is making essential farming operations and the logistics of food distribution increasingly unsustainable for rural smallholders and daily wage earners. “The ongoing energy crisis in Nigeria will affect the cost of food production because of the fact that farmers are using petrol to power water pumping engines,” Magaji stated, noting that the situation is further exacerbated by global market volatility stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Agricultural stakeholders have highlighted that the increased cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has a direct ripple effect on every stage of the food value chain, from land preparation and irrigation to the final transportation of produce to urban markets. Dr. Nkechi Okafor, Chairman of the AFAN FCT Chapter, described the current pricing regime as “inimical to food production,” warning that if the government does not intervene to make fuel available and affordable, food prices will inevitably rise beyond the reach of the average Nigerian. “As fuel becomes more expensive, the cost of production and distribution will likely rise, which could push food prices upward,” Okafor added, underscoring the vulnerability of households already struggling with the broader cost-of-living crisis.
The association’s warning is further compounded by reports of disruptions in the global fertilizer supply chain due to regional tensions, which experts say could reverse recent gains in taming food inflation. Acting Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of AFAN, Shakin Agbeyewa, joined other industry leaders in calling for targeted fiscal concessions on critical agricultural inputs to prevent a nationwide shortfall in 2026. The association maintained that without immediate policy intervention to stabilize energy costs and secure farming corridors, the combined pressure of high input prices and transportation hurdles will force many small-scale producers to reduce their acreage, significantly undermining national food sovereignty.
