By Henry Uche
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mrs. Regina Akume, has said that understanding the need for food security through nutritional fortification will improve the overall health and economic well-being of the Nigerian population.
Akume spoke at a two-day retreat for relevant committees of the National Assembly on Food Fortification, Workforce Nutrition, and Food Systems Transformation,
organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), E-Health Africa, and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in Lagos.
She said the development of a robust legislative framework and policy on nutritional fortification of staple foods with essential micronutrients will give the advocacy for food fortification and ensure institutionalised and systematic compliance.
The retreat witnessed the presence of 16 legislators from the senate and House of Representatives, as well as 14 Clerks of various committees of the NASS.
Among other solutions proffered, the legislators recommended that a Food Fortification bill should be developed and processed to passage and assent, with the involvement of all relevant MDAs; a National Workforce Nutrition Policy should be drafted with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders; and a bill for a National Agency on Nutrition should be developed and championed through legislative processes.
The lawmakers also observed that the multi-dimensional insecurity challenges caused by activities of armed groups has continued to wreak havoc on the quantity and quality of food production and distribution, while hampering workforce efficiency and productivity in various parts of the country. As a result of this, high loss of foods after harvest, due to poor storage and processing, hinders food security.
The retreat aimed to equip members of the NASS with the knowledge and tools necessary to develop and implement effective policies and bills to drive food fortification, workforce nutrition, and sustainable food systems transformation, ultimately improving the health and economic well-being of the Nigerian population.
Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Auwal Ibrahim Musa pointed out that poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, and diseases are massive problems for Nigeria, adding that the retreat provided solution that will pave the way for a more food-secure and prosperous Nigeria.
He said: “I am thrilled to attend this high-level legislative retreat focused on the critical issues of food fortification, workforce nutrition, and food system strengthening. Your dedication to these topics is vital in ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future for Nigeria. The two-day retreat gave us the opportunity to acknowledge the immense challenges confronting our food system. Millions of Nigerians face food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly children and vulnerable populations. This reality demands collaborative efforts, informed by robust policy discussions and decisive action.
“This retreat also presented a golden opportunity for fruitful dialogue as we have the privilege of hearing from esteemed legislators, experts, and stakeholders and proffer solution to the problem of food insecurity in the country. Our focus areas are interconnected and crucial. Enriching staples with essential vitamins and minerals can combat micronutrient deficiencies, enhancing cognitive development and overall health.
“Despite mandatory fortification standards, full coverage remains elusive, particularly in rural areas. Public awareness and enforcement need improvement. In Nigeria Staple foods vary regionally, including maize, cassava, millet, and sorghum. This means that one-size-fits-all fortification approach may not be the best strategy but rather region-specific approach that takes into cognizance the peculiarities of each region of the country. A nourished workforce is a productive workforce. Strategies to ensure access to nutritious food for working individuals and families are vital for economic growth and national well-being.
“With diverse agro-ecological zones, varying crop systems, and numerous actors (smallholder farmers, traders, processors), the system is complex and fragmented, hindering efficiency and market access. Erratic rainfall, droughts, and flooding significantly impact agricultural production and threaten food security, requiring climate-smart adaptation strategies. Violence disrupts farming activities, displaces communities, and restricts access to land and resources, further exacerbating food insecurity, particularly in the north. Poor road networks, inadequate storage facilities, and post-harvest losses significantly reduce food availability and increase prices.
“There is an urgent need to promote biofortification of staple crops like cassava and orange sweet potato with essential vitamins to address deficiencies directly in the food itself. Ensuring fortified staples remain culturally acceptable and affordable for low-income populations is crucial, requiring sensitivity to taste, price, and traditional food preparation methods. Effective quality control systems are needed to ensure consistent nutrient content and consumer safety, often requiring infrastructure and technical expertise. It promotes adoption of climate-smart technologies, improved seeds, and sustainable practices to enhance productivity and resilience, as well as provides smallholder farmers with inputs and financing to boost production and market access, with a focus on key staples.
“A large portion of food production and distribution occurs through informal markets, posing challenges in terms of regulation, food safety, and data collection. Women play a key role in agricultural production, processing, and marketing, requiring specific interventions to address their needs and empower them economically. Engaging young people in agriculture through training, access to land, and innovative solutions is crucial for the future sustainability of the food system.
“Through these discussions, we aim to identify concrete policy recommendations and actionable steps. Let us leverage the collective wisdom present here to shape a legislative agenda that addresses the root causes of our food system challenges, poor compliance to food fortification policies and workforce nutrition and delivers tangible improvements for all Nigerians.
Distinguished National Assembly members, we want to thank you for honouring invitation to participate and contribute in shaping the food system landscape in the country.
“We thank the GAIN for providing technical and financial resources to make this retreat a success. It is our believe that we would leave here with the responsibility to translate our insights into concrete action. By working together, we can strengthen our food system, ensuring its ability to nourish, empower, and propel Nigeria towards a brighter future.”
In his remarks, Dr. Micheal Ojo, county director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) stressed the global need to transform food systems for better food security, nutrition, health, and environmental sustainability is critical.
According to him, Nigeria’s poor diets are the main contributor to early death and morbidity, as well as economic inequalities.
He stated: “This transformation necessitates coordinated policy actions and stakeholder collaboration to address each region’s unique challenges. In Nigeria, food systems suffer from infrastructure and capacity deficits, misalignment with development goals, and a lack of technological innovation, resulting in high rates of food insecurity and malnutrition.
“Improving the country’s food system would increase the accessibility, affordability, and desirability of nutrient-dense foods. Food systems are complex, and engaging with a variety of stakeholders is necessary, so representation is a fundamental component of this endeavor. Since policy needs to be consistent across objectives, such as nutrition, food security and climate change, and since policy needs to be translated into legally binding commitments in a thoughtful and balanced manner, debate and legislation are also essential. Furthermore, an atmosphere that facilitates the public sector’s investments is required to scale up actions.
“We are confident that after the planned two days of intensive deliberations, legislators will have a better understanding of Nigeria’s food systems and challenges, as well as the ability to collaboratively develop the necessary strategies and a workable action plan to address these challenges. The Legislature is a critical stakeholder in food system transformation, and providing access to healthier diets for all will not be possible without them.”