*Say event ‘ll address food crisis, insecurity in Nigeria
JONAS EZIEKE ,Abuja
In a bid to address Nigeria’s rising food insecurity and malnutrition crisis, the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has concluded plans to hold a National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security.
Speaking on the upcoming event at a press briefing held in Abuja, the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon Dr Chike Okafor informed the public and stakeholders that the event is billed to hold at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
According to the lawmaker, the summit is scheduled to take place in Abuja from Tuesday, 8th July to Thursday 10th July 2025 adding that the summit will form a key part of this year’s House of Representatives Open Week.
He further emphasized that the summit is in response to the growing national concern over the rising rates of hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity across the country.
According to him, the theme of the summit is Curbing Malnutrition and Food Insecurity Through Effective Synergies, and it reflects the urgent need to consolidate efforts across the government, private sector, and international partners to develop lasting solutions to Nigeria’s worsening nutrition challenges.
The lawmaker also stressed that despite numerous policies and intervention programs over the years, millions of Nigerians, particularly children under five, pregnant women, and those living in rural communities, continue to suffer from malnutrition and food shortages.
The House Chairman also used the briefing to highlight several key factors contributing to Nigeria’s nutrition crisis, including climate change, environmental degradation, insecurity in food-producing regions, inflation, and inadequate food storage and distribution infrastructure.
He, however frowned at the low level of public investment in nutrition-specific programs, which he said has worsened the country’s ability to provide adequate food for all citizens.
Hon. Okafor stated that the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has established the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security in November 2023 as a direct response to these challenges.
The lawmaker explained that his committee, the first of its kind in the nation’s legislative history, was created to provide focused oversight, policy direction, and coordination to tackle food insecurity head-on.
The summit, he pointed out, will serve as a multi-sectoral engagement platform, bringing together critical stakeholders from the legislative and executive arms of government at federal, state, and local levels.
“It will also involve development partners, civil society groups, and private sector players to ensure comprehensive and sustainable solutions are identified and implemented”
The primary objectives of the summit, the lawmaker explained include harmonizing legislative and policy approaches to food security as well as exploring sustainable financing mechanisms for nutrition programs, and developing strategies to build resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate and economic shocks.
The engagement he said is also intended to enhance parliamentary oversight of nutrition programs and align development partners effort with Nigeria’s legislative priorities.
The event is expected to attract wide participation, including members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, relevant federal and state ministries, the Office of the Vice President, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), as well as key development partners such as UNICEF, FAO, WFP, GAIN, CS-SUNN, and the Bill and Melinda Gates
Among the special guests expected at the summit are His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Vice President of Nigeria, who will serve as the Special Guest of Honour, and Rt Hon.Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is the Chief Host.
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Sen.Hope Uzodinma and his Niger State counterpart Hon.Mohammed Umar Bago have also been confirmed as special guests at the event.
Key activities lined up for the three-day summit include high-level plenary sessions, interactive panel discussions, and presentations on both legislative and executive nutrition programs, including the N-774 Initiative.
There will also be technology exhibitions, case study presentations, and learning sessions focused on practical interventions that have proven successful in the field.
A major highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of a Legislative Toolkit on Nutrition and Food Security, which is expected to provide lawmakers at all levels with practical guidelines for developing and monitoring nutrition-sensitive policies and programs.
Participants will also draft and adopt a National Communiqué that will serve as a strategic guide for future legislative and policy actions on nutrition.
The Committee Chairman further emphasized the need for sub-national legislatures to prioritize the domestication of nutrition and food security policies within their respective states. He also called on development partners to ensure their technical and financial support aligns with Nigeria’s national legislative frameworks for maximum impact.
Meanwhile the Committee has extended a special call to the Nigerian media to help amplify the summit’s discussions and resolutions to the wider public.
He also appealed to the private sector to invest in nutrition-sensitive innovations and initiatives that can support local food production, improve food quality, and reduce post-harvest losses.
According to him, meaningful private sector involvement is critical to addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges in a sustainable manner.
“The National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security is expected to set the stage for far-reaching reforms that could significantly improve Nigeria’s nutrition indices”.
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