Abuja, Nigeria — Agricultural experts, nutritionists, and government officials have emphasized the need to promote healthy diets and sustainable food systems as central strategies for achieving long-term food security in Nigeria.
The call was made during a recent stakeholders’ forum on food systems transformation, where participants highlighted the growing challenges of malnutrition, rising food prices, and unsustainable agricultural practices that continue to threaten national food stability.
Experts noted that while Nigeria has vast agricultural potential, poor dietary habits and inadequate investment in sustainable production and distribution systems have limited progress in ensuring access to nutritious and affordable food for all citizens.
Speaking at the event, a senior official from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security stressed that improving the nutritional quality of local diets must go hand in hand with policies that encourage environmentally friendly farming and equitable food distribution.
“Food security is not only about producing enough to eat—it’s about producing the right kinds of food in ways that preserve our environment and promote public health,” the official said.
Nutrition advocates also urged state governments and development partners to invest in nutrition education, food fortification, and smallholder farmer support, emphasizing that these measures are vital to combating hunger and improving overall wellbeing.
The forum concluded with a joint commitment to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, private sector players, and research institutions to design inclusive food policies that prioritize both sustainability and nutrition.
Stakeholders agreed that achieving food security in Nigeria requires a shift from quantity-focused agriculture to a holistic, health-driven, and environmentally responsible food system that benefits present and future generations.
