Nigeria's AgriShield Initiative Targets Food Security Gap in Borno
A new federal campaign in Borno links counter-terrorism efforts with agricultural safety, aiming to restore trust among farmers.
Key points
- The AgriShield Initiative links counter-terrorism efforts with food security in Borno State.
- A 2026 survey found only 17% of residents aware of local anti-extremism actions.
- The campaign uses radio and town halls to address livelihood concerns like unemployment.
The Federal Government is integrating national security and food security strategies through the AgriShield Initiative, a joint effort led by the National Counter Terrorism Centre within the Office of the National Security Adviser. According to PRNigeria News, the program partners with TAG International to pilot a model in Borno State that prioritizes the safety of farmers as a core component of counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism efforts.
The initiative operates under the strategic communication motto "Our Presence is Your Peace," seeking to translate abstract security metrics into tangible daily outcomes for residents. For agricultural households, this translates to safe access to farmland, the ability to tend crops without fear, and the successful transport of produce to markets. The campaign explicitly measures success by the number of threats removed and harvests secured, rather than solely by operational statistics.
Survey Reveals Significant Awareness Gap
Recent baseline research conducted between June and July 2026 across 18 wards in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, and Mafa Local Government Areas highlighted a disconnect between government actions and public perception. The survey of 1,409 residents found that only 17 percent were aware of local anti-extremism measures, while awareness of the National Counter Terrorism Centre itself stood at approximately two percent.
Despite this low visibility, demand for information remains high, with 86 percent of respondents expressing strong interest in understanding how the government protects them. The data indicates that while substantial security work is being undertaken, it is not effectively communicated to the communities it is designed to serve, creating a vacuum that can be exploited by extremist narratives.
Livelihood Concerns Drive Engagement Strategy
The survey data suggests that economic stability is the primary lens through which residents view security. Unemployment was cited by 81 percent of respondents, followed by the cost of living at 70 percent and food insecurity at 57 percent. In contrast, terrorism was specifically named as a concern by only 29 percent of participants.
Officials note that 83 percent of respondents rejected extremist groups and their harmful impact, indicating that the focus of the campaign must be on demonstrating credible alternatives. The strategy emphasizes visible delivery of protection and livelihood support to counter vulnerabilities to recruitment, irregular migration, and despair among young people.
Multichannel Communication Plan for 2026
Scheduled to run from October to December 2026, the initiative will utilize a mix of radio, community town halls, and digital media tailored to local preferences. Radio, trusted by 41 percent of respondents, will carry 24 talk shows and 80 jingle slots in Hausa and Kanuri, while six town hall meetings will facilitate direct dialogue between farmers, leaders, and security representatives.
To ensure inclusivity, the program incorporates SMS and telephone engagement for subsistence farmers with limited internet access, alongside short-form digital content for younger audiences. An endline survey in December will revisit the same wards to measure shifts in awareness and trust, ensuring that community feedback directly informs weekly editorial decisions and future messaging.
