THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF GLOBALISATION AND FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA (1999 – 2019)

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges of any nation is that of feeding her citizens.  Different analytical perspectives had been used to examine the food problem while the root cause has been situated in many sources and claims. In the Nigerian context, in spite of the country’s   enormous human and natural resources, and the formulation and implementation of a number of high-quality policies aimed at improving the food situation of the country, hunger is still widespread. This paper explores the shift in policy focus by government from subsistence agriculture, as a way of life, to commercial agriculture as a business within the context of globalization. The paper shows that the Nigerian food situation had not fare better in the face of globalization. Ethno-sectional considerations have continued to intrude into the process of allocation in the food and agricultural sector and the implementation of food policies in Nigeria, with grave consequences on sustainable food security. To properly globalize the Nigerian agricultural system towards improving the nation’s food situation and enhancing food security, there is the need to harmonize agricultural policies with other agencies active in promoting food production in the country, in line with the socio-cultural milieu and the food preferences of the people.   KEYWORDS: Globalization, Political Economy, Food Security, Socio-Cultural Milieu, Nigeria