Reps Launch Initiative to Tackle Hunger, Malnutrition Across Nigeria

…say children, expectant mothers bear heaviest burden

By Gloria Ikibah

As a way to tackle the persistent problem of food insecurity nationwide, the House of Representatives has disclosed plans to convene a gathering of relevant stakeholders in Abuja during the House’ Open Week.

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Speaking at a media briefing held Thursday at the National Assembly, Chairman Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor expressed concern that, despite decades of national policies and various sectoral initiatives designed to strengthen nutrition and improve food systems, Nigeria continues to face severe challenges in combating malnutrition and hunger.

He highlighted that the most affected groups remain children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as vulnerable communities living in rural areas.

The chairman pointed out that several factors have made the problem even more severe. These include the impacts of climate change and environmental damage, ongoing insecurity in key agricultural areas, rising inflation and the increasing cost of living, insufficient infrastructure for storing, processing, and distributing food, as well as limited government funding for both nutrition-focused and nutrition-related programs.

He further said there will be a national summit on nutrition and food security during the Open Week from Monday, July 8 – 10, 2025, with the theme, “Curbing malnutrition and food insecurity through effective synergies”.

According to him, the summit, is designed as a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder engagement platform.

He explained that the core objective is to harmonise legislative, policy, and programmatic responses to nutrition and food security challenges across all tiers of government.

“It will bring together relevant actors from the Executive and Legislative branches across federal, state, and local levels, as well as key development partners and the private sector.

“To examine innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for nutrition, including public-private partnerships.

“To formulate strategies for building resilient and inclusive food systems, particularly in the face of climate shocks, economic disruptions, and insecurity.

“To strengthen parliamentary oversight and accountability frameworks in the

implementation of nutrition-related programmes and budgets.

“To align development partner interventions with national legislative priorities, ensuring coordinated and impactful support”, he stated.

The summit, which will take place during the House Open Week, is expected to have in attendance, members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, federal and state ministries, departments, and agencies (notably in health, agriculture, education, planning, and finance).

According to him, the summit will feature presentations on ongoing legislative and executive nutrition programmes, including the N-774 Initiative.

“The official unveiling of a Legislative Toolkit on Nutrition and Food Security.

Drafting and adoption of a National Communiqué, which will guide future

legislative and policy actions.

“The Summit is not intended to be a ceremonial event, but a catalyst for decisive and coordinated action. We expect the following concrete outcomes:

“Strengthened legislative frameworks for nutrition and food security at federal and state levels.

“Improved budgetary appropriations and tracking of nutrition funding, clear recommendations for policy reform and inter-agency coordination, enhanced synergy between development partners and legislative stakeholders and roadmap for effective domestication and implementation of nutrition policies by State Houses of Assembly”.