Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has urged lawmakers across Nigeria to enact critical legislation aimed at improving nutrition and food security in the country.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that every household in Nigeria has access to the necessary diets for a healthy and productive life.
During a meeting on Wednesday with the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, led by Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, at the Presidential Villa, Shettima underscored the significance of the Nutrition 774 Initiative. He explained that this initiative is part of the administration’s efforts to improve coordination, financing, and accountability in delivering essential nutrition services to all Nigerians, especially mothers and children.
“For too long, our responses to malnutrition have been fragmented, donor-driven, and inconsistent. Nutrition 774 changes that. It is government-led, government-funded, and government-implemented because we understand that food security cannot be outsourced,” said Shettima. He emphasized that the role of the legislature is crucial in ensuring the success of the initiative, noting that lawmakers need to review key laws to improve nutrition policies, such as maternity leave and the taxation of food products.
The Vice President highlighted the need for action, stating, “We have had enough reports, enough recommendations, and enough committees. What Nigeria needs now is action.” He further explained that the federal government’s efforts are aligned with global frameworks such as the UN Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063, ensuring that the initiative supports broader national goals, including the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the National Policy on Food and Nutrition, and the National Policy on Food Safety.
Shettima reiterated that the success of the Nutrition 774 Initiative would be measured by tangible outcomes, such as a reduction in stunting, better educational outcomes for well-nourished children, and improved access to nutrition for mothers. He stressed that the initiative is part of a larger national strategy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a self-sustaining Nigeria that can feed and nourish its people.
The Vice President also pointed to the relationship between malnutrition and insecurity, explaining that regions most affected by food insecurity are also the areas most prone to violence and instability. “Investing in nutrition is not just a moral obligation; it is an investment in national security, economic growth, and long-term stability,” he added.
Shettima called for immediate action, urging lawmakers to move from policy to execution. “Hunger and malnutrition do not wait for committee resolutions, and neither should we. It’s time to move from policy to execution, from discussion to impact,” he said. He expressed confidence that, with the support of the lawmakers, the country would successfully tackle malnutrition and its associated challenges.
Earlier, Hon. Chike Okafor, who led the delegation, shared that his committee’s core mandate is to review and amend existing nutrition and food-related laws to align with global standards. He also noted that all 36 State Houses of Assembly now have committees focused on nutrition and food security. Key legislative reforms being considered include extending maternity leave from three to six months, regulating the sale of bulk vegetable oil in open markets, and addressing multiple taxations on food products across regions.
Okafor commended the Vice President for his leadership in the nutrition sector, particularly with the Nutrition 774 Initiative, and expressed confidence that it would bridge gaps in Nigeria’s current nutrition interventions.
Hon. Michael Tolulope Ige, Majority Leader of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and Chairman of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, also spoke on the impact of the forum. He emphasized that the network has fostered a unified approach to addressing nutrition issues, built capacity on nutrition-related topics, and promoted advocacy for nutrition programs at the state level through the establishment of nutrition committees in state assemblies.
