Lagos: The National Assembly has announced plans to convene a national security summit aimed at addressing the escalating insecurity that poses threats to lives, property, and food production across the nation. This was disclosed by Sen. Garba Maidoki, a member of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production and Rural Development, during the Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on the 2026 Agriculture Budget in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting was organised by ActionAid Nigeria, German International Cooperation, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, among others. The consultative forum sought to enhance stakeholders’ comprehension of significant agricultural frameworks, such as the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy and the National Agricultural Development Fund, and their alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme targets.
The forum also acted as a platform to assess how these frameworks aid in achieving national and continental agricultural goals in areas like innovation, financing, and technology adoption. Sen. Maidoki expressed concern over the increasing insecurity in the country, which has resulted in significant loss of lives, displacement, farmland destruction, and worsening food insecurity.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing these challenges to ensure Nigerians’ access to food, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods. He revealed that the forthcoming security summit, set to take place in Lagos in the coming months, would include participation from security agencies, policymakers, and the general public.
The senator highlighted that the summit aims to develop a new security blueprint or architecture, shaped by expert contributions and public input. Public hearings in all zones are planned, with Lagos as one of the key centers for gathering input from Nigerians. The solutions and insights gained from the summit will be presented to security chiefs for implementation.
Maidoki stated that the blueprint will address Nigerians’ concerns, promote peace, and enhance efforts to combat insecurity, particularly in its impact on food production and rural livelihoods. He stressed the need for significant efforts to tackle insecurity, which remains the primary threat to the nation’s food security.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting aimed to increase citizen input in the 2026 Agriculture Budget to bolster food systems and wealth creation. Additionally, the consultative process aimed to support effective biennial reporting by Nigeria to the African Union Heads of State and Government, in accordance with the Kampala Declaration and its 2025 commitments.
