That is exactly the contradiction playing out in Nigeria right now. The government has been pouring subsidies into the agricultural sector, backing farmers with support meant to drive down the cost of food at the market level. But for millions of everyday Nigerians, the relief has not arrived on their plates.
The disconnect between a celebrated harvest and empty pockets is not just frustrating, it is a question that demands a real answer. Where is the cheaper food? Subsidies, by design, are supposed to ease the burden on consumers, not just boost production numbers on a government report.
What we know is this: Nigeria is producing more, and yet the cost of feeding a family remains out of reach for far too many people. Something is breaking down between the farm and the table, whether that is distribution, middlemen, inflation, or policy gaps that nobody is rushing to close.
The story of Nigeria's food crisis is not simply about drought or conflict or climate. It is about a system that can announce good news and still leave its people hungry. Until the subsidy money translates into affordable meals in Lagos, Kano, and everywhere in between, the celebration is premature.
Originally published by BusinessDay.