Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has raised concerns over the escalating crisis of malnutrition and food insecurity, identifying these issues as critical threats to Nigeria’s economic stability, public health, and community resilience.
At the inauguration of the Local Organizing Committee for the National Assembly’s summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja, Abbas emphasized the need for immediate legislative action, noting how these challenges are impeding the country’s progress in health, education, and productivity.
Represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Abbas pointed out that Nigeria’s malnutrition rates are among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting citizens of all ages. He highlighted how malnutrition, especially among children, hampers physical and cognitive development, limiting long-term educational and economic prospects and contributing to wider societal issues.
Abbas pledged the House’s full support for the committee’s initiatives, encouraging collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to develop a unified strategy against food insecurity.
“The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent,” Abbas stated. “This organizing 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 committee’s inauguration, underscoring the severity of malnutrition across Nigeria, particularly in northern regions where severe malnutrition among children has surged by 51%.
He described the crisis as a humanitarian emergency, worsened by recent floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have severely disrupted food supplies nationwide.
Okafor emphasized the summit’s role in shaping policies to address food insecurity, positioning the Local Organizing Committee to play a crucial role in coordinating with stakeholders across the nutrition and food security sectors.
