Journalists and media practitioners in Nigeria have been called to adopt more rigorous, evidence-based reporting to ensure government interventions in the food system are effective and transparent.
The demand was made during the Media Dialogue segment of the Sahel Changemakers Conference held in Abuja on Thursday. Participants at the event emphasised that the media must move beyond mere observation to actively monitoring how policies aimed at addressing food insecurity are implemented across the country.
The conference, which included stakeholders from across the Sahel region, highlighted the critical link between media engagement and the success of agricultural policies. Organisers stated that sustained public enlightenment and factual reporting are necessary to hold both state and non-state actors accountable for the management of food resources and agricultural investments.
Strengthening oversight of food system policies
The call for accountability comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with high food inflation and supply chain disruptions. Analysts have frequently pointed to the gap between policy formulation and actual impact on the ground, particularly regarding the distribution of fertilisers, seeds, and other agricultural inputs intended for smallholder farmers.
The Media Dialogue, themed around building Nigeria’s food security, focused on the necessity of data-driven journalism. Speakers at the event noted that without accurate data and investigative scrutiny, the effectiveness of government programmes remains difficult to measure, often leaving taxpayers and vulnerable populations in the dark regarding the actual reach of interventions.
By providing evidence-based reports, the media can help identify where interventions are failing and where resources are being mismanaged. This is particularly vital in the Sahelian context, where food security is closely tied to regional stability, climate resilience, and the movement of agricultural goods across borders.
Participants noted that the media’s role extends to public enlightenment—ensuring that citizens understand the policies meant to support them and how to access available resources. This transparency is expected to reduce the incidence of corruption and ensure that food security interventions reach the intended beneficiaries rather than being diverted.
While the conference provided a platform for these discussions, observers note that the practical application of these calls will depend on the availability of data for journalists and the willingness of media houses to invest in specialised agricultural reporting. The immediate challenge remains the integration of these accountability measures into the regular news cycles of major Nigerian media organisations.
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