The Nutrition Society of Nigeria has endorsed the National Food and Nutrition Policy for 2026–2035, describing it as a critical framework for addressing malnutrition, improving food systems, and enhancing public health outcomes across the country.
The policy, developed through collaboration among government institutions, development partners, and stakeholders in the food and health sectors, is designed to provide a long-term strategy for tackling Nigeria’s growing nutrition challenges.
According to stakeholders, the framework focuses on ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food, while promoting sustainable agricultural and food production systems.
Key priorities of the policy include reducing child malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, food insecurity, and diet-related diseases, which continue to affect millions of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.
The policy also emphasizes the importance of nutrition-sensitive agriculture, encouraging the production and consumption of diverse and nutrient-rich foods to improve household nutrition.
In addition, the framework seeks to strengthen food safety systems, nutrition education, and public awareness campaigns, ensuring that citizens are better informed about healthy dietary practices.
Stakeholders highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between the agriculture, health, education, and social protection sectors, noting that nutrition challenges require a coordinated multi-sectoral response.
Experts welcomed the endorsement, stating that the policy has the potential to improve national productivity and human capital development by addressing the root causes of poor nutrition.
However, they stressed the importance of adequate funding, effective implementation, and regular monitoring, to ensure that the policy delivers measurable impact over the next decade.
The endorsement also comes amid increasing concerns about the effects of economic hardship, rising food prices, and climate change on food availability and nutritional outcomes.
The Nutrition Society of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to supporting advocacy, research, and capacity-building initiatives that will advance the objectives of the policy.
With the endorsement of the 2026–2035 National Food and Nutrition Policy, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria can make significant progress toward achieving better nutrition, improved food security, and healthier populations.
