In a move widely regarded as a critical intervention for Nigeria’s agricultural recovery, Hon. Olusola Fatoba, a member of the House of Representatives, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Nigeria Forest Security Services (NFSS) — an initiative aimed at tackling rural insecurity, protecting farmlands, and revitalising farmer confidence across the country.
The NFSS, recently signed into law by the President, was conceived in response to the escalating attacks on farmers, kidnappings, and illegal forest occupations that have crippled food production and displaced thousands of rural dwellers.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, Hon. Fatoba, who chairs the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values, urged all 36 state governors to actively support the project’s rollout to ensure swift implementation. He noted that the NFSS would help reclaim forests from criminal elements while safeguarding farmlands and promoting agricultural investments.
According to him, the establishment of the NFSS represents a bold and timely measure to rebuild agricultural resilience and investor confidence in Nigeria’s food system.
“At a time when insecurity has deterred many from farming and discouraged foreign investment, this move will not only boost food security but also strengthen our economy through agriculture and non-oil financial inflows,” Fatoba said.
He emphasised that the initiative demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to creating a safe and enabling environment for agricultural productivity, rural development, and private sector participation in food systems.
The lawmaker also called on state governments to complement federal efforts by mobilising local participation, supporting logistics for forest recovery, and engaging rural communities to ensure sustainability of the NFSS framework.
Source: Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The establishment of the Nigeria Forest Security Services (NFSS) marks a significant milestone in linking security directly with agricultural sustainability. Security is no longer a matter solely for law enforcement—it is a critical infrastructure for food production. Farmers cannot cultivate confidently without safety, and investors cannot commit resources to agribusiness in an unstable environment. The NFSS, therefore, stands as a foundational mechanism for safeguarding agricultural clusters, protecting food production zones, and ensuring that national agricultural investments deliver their intended impact.
Forest Security as Agricultural Infrastructure
Security underpins the entire agricultural value chain. The NFSS can serve as a structural solution to the recurring threats that have disrupted farming in several parts of the country. When effectively managed, it will secure farmlands, prevent encroachment by criminal groups, and allow both smallholder and commercial farmers to operate without fear. This security assurance will, in turn, translate into higher productivity and improved supply chain stability across key commodities.
Rebuilding Farmer Confidence and Rural Economies
Years of persistent insecurity have forced many farmers to abandon their lands and migrate from rural areas. By operationalising the NFSS, government can begin restoring confidence among rural producers, encouraging them to return to farming and reviving agricultural communities. This will particularly benefit staple crops like rice, maize, and cassava, which have experienced productivity declines due to farmer displacement. As confidence grows, rural markets will revive, creating a ripple effect of employment and local enterprise growth.
Boosting Private Sector and Foreign Investment
For years, insecurity has been a major deterrent to both domestic and foreign agricultural investment. The successful implementation of the NFSS could signal a renewed commitment to rural safety and attract investors back to the sector. This will not only rejuvenate large-scale farming and processing operations but also strengthen non-oil foreign exchange earnings. In a secure environment, agribusinesses can plan long-term projects, develop value chains, and expand export-oriented food production with greater confidence.
Integrating Community Participation
The success of the NFSS will depend on inclusive, community-based participation. Rural dwellers, traditional forest guards, hunters, and cooperative groups have intimate knowledge of the terrain and can play critical roles in intelligence gathering and early warning systems. Their involvement will make forest surveillance more effective while promoting local ownership of the initiative. States are encouraged to establish participatory governance frameworks that connect NFSS operations with agricultural extension and community development systems.
Policy Synchronisation and Transparency
For the NFSS to achieve its full potential, there must be seamless coordination between federal and state governments. Security efforts must align with agricultural, land-use, and climate-resilience policies to prevent overlaps and inefficiencies. Transparency and accountability should also guide the implementation process, ensuring that the NFSS remains a farmer-focused initiative rather than a bureaucratic structure. Clear operational standards, periodic performance assessments, and stakeholder feedback will be vital to maintaining public trust and policy continuity.
In conclusion, the Nigeria Forest Security Services represents a convergence of security and agriculture that could redefine food system resilience in the country. If implemented effectively, it will safeguard farmlands, empower farmers, rebuild investor confidence, and strengthen national food security. The initiative offers a pathway to restoring agricultural stability and transforming rural economies—provided it is executed inclusively, transparently, and with consistent policy backing.
