Nigeria’s annual food import bill has risen to over $5bn, as the dairy products import bill exceeds $1.5 annually.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Institute of Animal Science, NIAS, Eustace Iyayi, made this known to reporters at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Iyayi attributed the increase in food importation, especially dairy products to factors of COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, climate change, among others.
He highlighted some steps that can be taken to improve food production and curb food imports in Nigeria.
The Registrar used the opportunity to call on all relevant stakeholders to participate in the forthcoming NIAS 2021 annual meeting as the actors will deliberate on the challenges facing the sector and proffer possible solutions.