The Federal Government has announced plans to collaborate with the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) to enhance food and nutritional safety across Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a CILSS delegation, led by its executive secretary, Abdoulaye Mahamadou, to his office in Abuja.
Abdullahi explained that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) is actively pursuing the implementation of the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda by focusing on food safety and nutrition through agricultural sector transformation, modernised farming practices and enhanced national food security.
He noted that the ministry is advancing several initiatives, including the promotion of sustainable agriculture, the introduction of biofortified crops like zinc-enriched rice and the adoption of mechanisation and other technological innovations to increase productivity and tackle food insecurity.
“Our goal is to boost food production, make it more available, affordable and accessible,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of building resilience in Nigeria’s food systems, stating that such efforts would help safeguard livelihoods and support households across the country.
“We are keen to work together to strengthen the technical capacity at the federal, state, and local levels and identify a sustainable investment framework that supports long-term resilience,” Abdullahi added.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi said the government is assessing its preparedness to address potential food and nutrition safety crises. He highlighted the importance of achieving food sovereignty to safeguard national well-being.
In his response, CILSS executive secretary, Abdoulaye Mahamadou affirmed his organisation’s commitment to addressing food and nutrition security across the Sahel and West Africa. He noted that CILSS works to improve food system resilience, monitor nutrition indicators and promote sustainable, affordable diets across member countries.
“CILSS is a key player in the fight against food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa. We collaborate with regional and global partners to implement policies and strategies that ensure people have access to safe and nutritious food,” Mahamadou stated.
A statement by the ministry’s director of information signed by Charity Ogbuagu affirmed that both parties are aligning their efforts toward resilient food systems and joint action against malnutrition and hunger.
