The House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security is set to hold a three-day national summit from 8-10 July
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its resolve to confront the interlinked crises of malnutrition, insecurity, climate change, and underinvestment in Nigeria’s food and nutrition sectors.
Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor (APC–Imo), made the position known during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday. He announced plans for a three-day National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security, set to take place from July 8 to July 10, 2025.
According to Rep. Okafor, despite years of policy interventions and sectoral programmes, Nigeria still faces disturbing levels of food insecurity and malnutrition—especially among children under five, pregnant and nursing mothers, and vulnerable populations in rural communities.
“The situation is exacerbated by climate change, persistent insecurity in food-producing areas, high inflation, and inadequate infrastructure for food storage, processing, and distribution,” he said.
He stressed that the summit would serve as a critical multi-sectoral platform, bringing together stakeholders from across the executive and legislative arms of government at federal, state, and local levels, along with key development partners and private sector actors.
“The summit is designed as a multi-stakeholder engagement platform,” Okafor explained.
“Our goals include harmonising policy and legislative responses, exploring sustainable financing—especially public-private partnerships—and building resilient food systems in the face of climate shocks, economic disruption, and insecurity.”
The lawmaker added that the summit would also focus on strengthening parliamentary oversight, ensuring greater accountability in nutrition-related budgeting, and aligning donor interventions with Nigeria’s legislative priorities.
He confirmed that Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as the special guest of honour, while Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Tajudeen Abbas, will be chief host of the event. Also expected are Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State, as well as the heads of key federal and state agencies.
Other participants will include members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), development partners such as UNICEF, FAO, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, civil society organisations (CSOs), and private sector representatives amongst others.
“We are expecting the Inspector- General of Police, the Director-General of Department of Security Service (DSS), the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) , the Chief of Army Staff.
“They will be part of our discussion on the second day because we can not talk about food security without also talking about the fact that today, the farmers cannot go to the farm because of the security.
“Whether it’s kinetic or non-kinetic, and all that can be discussed in the public. I can tell you very clearly that we are insisting that they come and tell Nigeria what they are doing to ensure that these farmers go into the farm, do what they have to do without being harassed or without being killed or molested by anybody.
“The expected outcome includes 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 and enhanced synergy between development partners and legislative stakeholders among others,” Okafor said.
