This study interrogates the effect of public policies on food security, with specific focus on the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) and the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP).

It assesses the performance of these two policies, comparatively, with the objective of interrogating their contribution and effect on Nigeria’s food security dream and their effects on smallholder farmers in the country. The study is a qualitative study; that engages 60 participants, male and female alike and the primary data for this study was collected using the Key Informant Interview (KII) from selected participants.

While secondary data were obtained from relevant textbooks, scholarly journals, and official agricultural policy documents provided by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The findings revealed a significant challenge which includes corruption, lack of monitoring on the part of implementing agency, poor resource management and insincerity on the part of government in the implementation and effectiveness of these policies.

Feedback from participants interviewed in the field indicates widespread frustration among farmers, largely due to corruption and poor resource management. This study concluded by recommending transparency and proper monitoring and evaluation by the ministry of agriculture and other stakeholders in the agricultural industry, for improving the effectiveness of future agricultural policies.