Reps to host National Summit on Food Security

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday announced plans by the Green Chamber to host a national summit on nutrition and food security.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the planned summit  held at the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly, Abbas said the lower house recognised the need to intervene in the growing crisis of hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity.

He said: “Nigeria faces a mounting crisis of malnutrition and food insecurity that poses a serious threat to the well-being of its citizens, the resilience of its economy, and the stability of its communities. These challenges, though not unique to Nigeria, strike at the heart of our nation’s development, leaving a profound impact on health, education, and productivity. Today, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in subSaharan Africa, affecting children, adolescents, and adults alike. It’s a crisis that requires both immediate action and sustainable, long-term solutions.

Malnutrition, in particular, has devastating effects on the most vulnerable members of our society—children. Lack of proper nutrition during the critical stages of growth stunts physical and cognitive development, setting a trajectory of reduced academic achievement, lower earning potential, and increased susceptibility to health issues. For adults, malnutrition reduces the productivity and overall health of our workforce, weakening our ability to compete in the global economy.

“In addition to malnutrition, food insecurity exacerbates existing challenges by limiting access to affordable, nutritious food for millions. Climate change, economic instability, and inconsistent agricultural policies have further strained Nigeria’s food systems, causing significant price increases and affecting food availability. Inadequate food security poses not only a humanitarian crisis but also a security concern, as food scarcity can fuel social unrest and displacement”.

He added: “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent. This organizing committee is tasked with bringing the summit to fruition by coordinating efforts across ministries, states, and engaging both public and private sectors. Its mission is to create a platform for legislators, experts, and community leaders to collaborate, share insights, and drive collective action to address the root causes of our nutrition and food security challenges.

“This National Summit will provide a vital forum to raise awareness, pool resources, and establish actionable goals for the future. This summit will lay the groundwork for stronger policy frameworks, informed by the voices of those directly affected, and ensure that each legislative action is both grounded in local realities and aligned with international best practices”.

Earlier in is welcome address, Chairman House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security and convener of the summit, Rep. Chike Okafor stressed the importance of legislative intervention to combat hunger and it attendant consequences.

He expressed optimism that the summit will provide a platform for stakeholders at national and sub-national levels to discuss policies, programmes and funding to reduce hunger and malnutrition.

He said: Today marks a pivotal moment as we inaugurate the Local Organizing Committee for the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security. This committee will serve as the cornerstone for coordinating our efforts, fostering partnerships, and ensuring the success of this crucial summit dedicated to addressing the urgent challenges facing our nation in the spheres of nutrition and food security. Our efforts through the National Legislative Network is to compliment the numerous efforts being put in place by the Executive arm of government through the office of the Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Okafor stressed the current situation called for cooperation between the legislature and the executive, saying, “The recent report unveiling a distressing 51% surge in severe malnutrition cases among children in the Northern states is not merely a statistic; it embodies a humanitarian crisis that demands our immediate attention and concerted action. This rise in malnutrition underscores a systemic issue that pervades our nation’s nutritional landscape”.