Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has underscored the escalating crisis of malnutrition and food insecurity as critical threats to Nigeria’s economic stability, public health, and community resilience.
His comments were made during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the National Assembly’s summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja.
Represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Abbas emphasised the urgent need for legislative action to address these pressing issues, which he described as hindering progress in health, education, and productivity across the nation.
Abbas pointed out that Nigeria currently faces some of the highest rates of malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting individuals of all age groups.
He highlighted that malnutrition, particularly among children, stunts both physical and cognitive development, which in turn undermines long-term educational and economic prospects and contributes to broader societal challenges.
The Speaker assured the LOC of the House’s full support, calling for collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to create a unified strategy against food insecurity.
“The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent,” he stated.
“This organising committee’s mission is to foster collaboration across ministries, engage both public and private sectors, and create a platform for lawmakers, experts, and community leaders to address the root causes of food security challenges.”
Chairman of the Committee Rep. Chike Okafor also addressed the gathering, emphasising the severity of malnutrition, particularly in northern regions of Nigeria, where severe malnutrition rates among children have surged by 51%.
He described the situation as a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by recent flooding in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have disrupted food supplies nationwide.
Okafor stressed the summit’s importance in formulating policies to combat food insecurity, positioning the LOC as crucial in organising the event to engage stakeholders across the nutrition and food security sectors.
The summit aims to develop comprehensive strategies to alleviate the growing food crisis and improve nutrition across Nigeria, ultimately safeguarding the nation’s economic stability and public health.
