By Abdullahi Lukman
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Chike Okafor, led a high-level delegation of lawmakers to the Presidential Villa on Wednesday to press for urgent legislation to end the persisting food insecurity in the country.
The delegation met with Vice President Kashim Shettima, discussing urgent legislative measures aimed at combating the pervasive issues of malnutrition and food insecurity that have plagued Nigeria for years.
The meeting, convened under the auspices of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, was a step in shaping the country’s approach to sustainable nutrition policy.
Okafor, who has been an advocate for stronger nutritional policies, emphasized the critical need for swift legislative action to both strengthen existing nutrition laws and introduce new ones.
He reported a milestone achievement: all 36 state assemblies across Nigeria now have dedicated committees on nutrition and food security, a success driven by extensive engagement with the Conference of Speakers and a clear demonstration of the legislative body’s commitment to addressing these urgent issues.
Okafor, flanked by his fellow legislators, stressed the importance of passing laws that would institutionalize nutrition as a key element of public policy.
As part of the proposed legislative reforms, Okafor outlined several critical initiatives designed to address gaps in the country’s nutritional infrastructure.
Among these reforms was a proposal to extend maternity leave from three to six months, a move aimed at ensuring that mothers have adequate time to recover from childbirth and exclusively breastfeed their children, which is essential for infant health.
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Okafor emphasized the importance of regulating the sale of bulk vegetable oil in open markets to combat the spread of adulterated oils, which are often harmful to consumers.
He also called for a national solution to the multiple taxations imposed on food products transported across regions, a practice that drives up the cost of food and exacerbates food insecurity.
This would not only improve the health and wellbeing of millions of Nigerians but also stabilize the country’s economic growth, as malnutrition undermines the productivity and potential of the future workforce.
Vice President Shettima reinforced the importance of the government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative, a comprehensive program designed to improve coordination, financing, and accountability in delivering vital nutrition interventions to mothers, children, and vulnerable populations.
Shettima called for legislative support in ensuring the success of the initiative, noting that a concerted effort by both the government and lawmakers would guarantee the necessary funding and commitment for effective implementation.
“We can no longer rely solely on donor-driven efforts,” said Shettima, highlighting the inefficiencies of fragmented nutrition programs that have historically plagued the country.
“The solution must be government-led, funded, and implemented with full accountability to ensure it reaches those who need it most.”
Shettima pointed out that regions suffering from severe food insecurity are often the same regions that experience the highest rates of violence and instability.
“Malnutrition is not only a health crisis; it is a national security issue,” he asserted. “Investing in nutrition is investing in our future stability, economic growth, and peace.”
