By: Chibuzo Nwagboso, Temilolu Bamiwuye, Omobolanle Onilogbo, Kwaw Andam, Hyacinth Edeh, Michael Ojo, and Joyce Akpata
See the event proceedings page.
On July 25, 2024, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) co-organized the launch of IFPRI’s 2024 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR) titled “Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Nutrition” in Nigeria. The event theme was “Improving Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Nutrition in Nigeria: Policies and Actions”. Drawing on extensive research from IFPRI and CGIAR, in collaboration with global partners, the report emphasizes the importance of developing food systems that promote healthy diets for both humans and the planet.
The event drew together various stakeholders in the agricultural policy space and reflected on the report and its relevance for diverse issues confronting Nigeria in the areas of food security and healthy diets. In attendance were Purnima Menon; IFPRI’s Senior Director, Food and Nutrition Policy, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Distinguished Senator Mustapha Salihu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Chinyere Uzoma; Senior Special Assistant to President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Dr. Mary Paninga, Chairperson, Adamawa State Planning Commission representing the Executive Governor, Adamawa State, His Excellency, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, World Food Programme (WFP), and other key partners and national stakeholders.
The launch event included presentations from Dr. Timothy Oni, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research on Agri-Food System Diagnostics in Delta and Kano State; Kwaw Andam on the Impacts Fuel Subsidy Reforms in Nigeria; Michael Ojo on Data to Promote Improved Food Systems in Nigeria; and Mulubrhan Amare, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI on Nutritional Status in Nigeria.
Dr. Purnima Menon, Senior Director, Food and Nutrition Policy, CGIAR and IFPRI, gave an overview of the 2024 GFPR, which examines approaches to addressing poor diets and nutrition from the demand and supply sides, and through better governance. Hyacinth Edeh, IFPRI Nigeria’s Country Program Manager, provided specific remarks for the African context.
In their separate remarks during the event, Dr Mary Paninga, representing the Adamawa State Governor; Dr Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement; Senator Mustapha Salihu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Nigeria; and Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Honorable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, noted the alignment between the report and the government’s agenda while expressing hope that the report would catalyze meaningful action supported by good governance. The importance of diet quality, and not just quantity, as well as the need to diversify beyond rain-fed agriculture could also help in addressing the challenges of healthy diets and food security.
A panel discussion hosted by Temi Adegoroye, Managing Partner, Sahel Consulting, brought together representatives from GAIN Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW) and IITA. The panel emphasized the significance of strengthening food safety regulations, promoting sustainable agriculture practice, quality investment in agricultural extension services, and quality data on nutrition as approaches to improving diet and nutrition across the country.
The event concluded with a stakeholder discussion and closing remarks from Aline Mugisho, CGIAR Country Convener, and Purnima Menon, synthesizing the discussions and outlining a path forward for Nigeria's food security and nutrition landscape.
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