In a country blessed with abundant natural and agricultural resources, the persistence of hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria remains a troubling paradox. Despite various efforts, over 20 million Nigerians are still classified as severely food insecure, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These challenges are worsened by poverty, displacement, inequality, conflict, climate change, and weak infrastructure.
In a bold response to this crisis, Nigeria enacted the Right to Food Act in 2023, a landmark legislation that recognizes access to adequate, nutritious, and affordable food as a fundamental human right. However, the implementation of this Act remains a work in progress. To move from policy to action, a National Stakeholders Dialogue on the Right to Food Act was held on January 29, 2025, in Abuja. Organized by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) with support from Oxfam in Nigeria, the dialogue brought together more than 70 participants, including representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, academia, media, and farmer associations.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Michael David Terungwa, Executive Director of GIFSEP, stressed that food insecurity is not just an economic issue; it is a moral, social, and human rights concern. He called for urgent action, stronger institutional frameworks, and the development of sustainable food systems to tackle hunger head-on.
Echoing these sentiments, Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola, Executive Director of the Farm and Infrastructure Foundation, emphasized the need for accountability and public education, and proposed the formation of an “Action for Food Security” coalition to drive advocacy and implementation of the Act nationwide.
Barrister Dangana Yahaya, SAN, advocated for the elevation of the Right to Food from Chapter 2 to Chapter 4 of Nigeria’s Constitution. This, he noted, would make the right to food legally enforceable, allowing courts to protect citizens and hold policymakers accountable for failures in food policy and distribution. The dialogue featured a rich panel session with representatives from the Lagos, Plateau, and Benue State Ministries of Agriculture, who shared local initiatives including urban farming, storage systems, and support for mechanization. However, they also acknowledged the challenges faced at the state level, particularly insecurity that restricts farmers’ access to land, the impact of climate change, and weak collaboration between government, the private sector, and farmers.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the realities of food insecurity, dialogues like this represent a critical step toward meaningful action and accountability. Ensuring the Right to Food is not only about feeding the nation, it is about securing dignity, justice, and a better future for all Nigerians.