Nutrition and Agricultural Stakeholders Call for Interventions to Close Worsening Food Gaps

Health, nutrition, and agricultural experts have issued a joint call for an integrated approach to food production and distribution networks to combat rising malnutrition and stunting metrics across the federation.

The call anchored proceedings at the 2026 Nestlé for Good Summit in Lagos, which brought together policymakers from the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and regional agriculture ministries. Experts highlighted that Nigeria is currently navigating a complex food system crisis, managing high rates of micronutrient deficiencies alongside escalating diet-related chronic conditions.

Industry stakeholders, including representatives from IDH Nigeria, stressed that agricultural productivity metrics alone cannot solve nutritional deficits if vulnerable households lack the real purchasing power to access balanced diets.

The summit concluded with a mandate for increased private-public investments in crop biofortification, clean post-harvest storage systems, and regenerative agriculture programs to stabilize food accessibility in urban and rural centers alike.