Introduction One of the most significant challenges confronting the world at large, and sub-Saharan Africa in particular, is food insecurity. Thus, this study assesses the potential of urban agriculture in achieving sustainable food security and the role of urban planning. It examines the current practice of urban agriculture and identifies the primary barriers to urban agriculture. Methodology This study adopted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to assess urban agriculture's potential for enhancing food security in Nigeria and the role of urban planning. The Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis (SALSA) framework achieved the SLR. Results and discussion Findings from the study revealed that urban agriculture has the potential to contribute to food security, as it has been demonstrated in both developed and developing countries. The study also showed that space limitations, financial constraints, zoning policies, lack of policy and institutional support, land tenure insecurity, and infrastructure are significant barriers to urban agriculture. The study also brought to the fore that most of the countries where urban agriculture has contributed significantly to food security enjoyed government support in various forms. Some of these include establishing dedicated urban agricultural departments, integrating urban farming into the urban planning framework and promulgating urban agriculture ordinances. However, Nigeria is on the right path with introducing a National Urban Agricultural Programme, which is expected to commence in 2025. However, urban agriculture has not been integrated into the urban planning framework as central urban planning regulation in the country focuses on plan preparation and administration, development control, rehabilitation and renewal, with urban agriculture not explicitly recognised. Similarly, the few urban areas with master plans in the country focus on physical infrastructure with little or no provision for urban agriculture. Conclusion The study concludes that most of the challenges militating against urban agriculture fall squarely within the domain of urban planning. It therefore recommends the adoption of urban planning institutions and technical tools to support rather than restrict urban agriculture in the country. Keywords: Food Security, Urban Agriculture, Urban Planning, Nigeria
Vincent Abimbola Uwala, Adeyemi Farotimi