Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged lawmakers nationwide to enact critical legislation aimed at improving nutrition and food security, ensuring that every household in Nigeria has access to the diverse and nutritious diets essential for a healthy and productive life.
During a meeting on Wednesday with the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, led by Hon. Chike Okafor, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, at the Presidential Villa, Shettima emphasized the importance of the legislative arm in supporting the success of the government’s flagship initiative Nutrition 774.
The initiative, designed to enhance coordination, financing, and accountability in nutrition programs, seeks to guarantee that every mother and child, regardless of their location, receives vital nutrition interventions tailored to their specific needs. Shettima explained that the initiative is a direct response to the fragmented, donor-driven approach to addressing malnutrition that has prevailed in Nigeria for too long.
“This is a government-led, government-funded, and government-implemented program because we understand that food security cannot be outsourced,” the Vice President said. “For too long, our responses to malnutrition have been inconsistent, but Nutrition 774 changes that by providing a clear framework for national action.”
He urged lawmakers to take an active role in ensuring the success of this initiative by reviewing and amending relevant laws. Shettima highlighted the need for policies that support improved infant nutrition, such as extending maternity leave, addressing the multiple taxation of food produce, and removing obstacles to food security. However, he stressed that laws must be translated into action, as the nation can no longer afford to wait for more reports or committees. “It’s time to move from policy to execution,” he asserted.
The Vice President also underscored the alignment of the Nutrition 774 Initiative with global aspirations, such as the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He stated that the initiative is an integral part of Nigeria’s broader national policies, including the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the National Policy on Food and Nutrition. Shettima emphasized that this initiative is not a stand-alone program but a key element of a comprehensive strategy to build a self-sufficient, nourished Nigeria.
The success of the initiative, Shettima explained, would be measured not by the eloquence of discussions but by the tangible impact on the lives of Nigerians. “We will know we have succeeded when stunting rates drop, children can focus in school because they are well-fed, and mothers have access to the nutrition they need to give birth to healthy children,” he said. “We will also know we’ve succeeded when every Nigerian—no matter their background—has access to the nutrition they deserve.”
Highlighting the link between malnutrition and insecurity, the Vice President pointed out that the regions most affected by food insecurity are often the same areas facing violence and instability. He argued that investing in nutrition is a direct investment in national security, economic growth, and long-term stability.
“When young people are deprived of the proper nutrition during childhood, the consequences ripple through generations,” Shettima warned. “This is why investing in nutrition is not just a moral obligation; it is an investment in our future stability and prosperity.”
Hon. Chike Okafor, speaking on behalf of the delegation, acknowledged the Vice President’s leadership in advancing nutrition programs and the potential of the Nutrition 774 Initiative to address gaps in Nigeria’s current approach to nutrition. He outlined key legislative reforms under consideration, including extending maternity leave from three to six months, regulating the sale of adulterated vegetable oils in open markets, and addressing the issue of multiple taxation on food products moving between regions.
Okafor also reported that, through their engagement with the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, all 36 state assemblies now have committees dedicated to nutrition and food security. “This unified approach is essential for the effective implementation of nutrition policies at the state level,” Okafor said.
Hon. Michael Tolulope Ige, Majority Leader of Ekiti State House of Assembly and Chairman of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, added that the forum had created a platform for state lawmakers to collaborate on nutrition issues. He emphasized that the formation of state-level nutrition committees was crucial for advocating nutrition policies and strengthening collective implementation.
As the meeting concluded, Vice President Shettima reiterated the urgency of the matter: “Hunger and malnutrition do not wait for committee resolutions, and neither should we. The time for action is now. The Nutrition 774 Initiative is our roadmap, and with your support, we will not only fight malnutrition we will win.”
