Global-Local Actors and the Political Economy of Food Policy in Nigeria

Abstract

Since independence in 1960, there have been several policies on food and agriculture in Nigeria. Each of these policy decisions with other associated initiatives and programmes were aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency and hence propel the country towards a food economy that is dependable and sustainable; which is a sine qua non for food security. However, lots of ambiguities and grail areas are imbedded in the Nigerian Agricultural and food Policies due to the inherent political and economic interests of the many actors involved in the policy making and implementation processes; in practical neglect of the people‟s desires and food preferences. This paper argues that actors at both global and local levels have had influences in the food policy making process in Nigeria with attendant unpleasant consequences on the country‟s food security. The identified actors within the context of this paper include: The World Bank, The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and other transnational agri-business on one hand, and the government, political elites, and some influential farmers, on the other. The economic and political interests of these various actors had been a major stumbling block in the accomplishment of the food security in Nigeria.