World Food Day: Nigerians deserve affordable, safe, nutritious foods

In a diverse and populous nation like Nigeria, access to affordable, safe, and nutritious food is crucial not only for individual well-being but also for national economic growth and stability. World Food Day 2024 is a timely reminder of this essential right.

Hunger and malnutrition are linked to various societal problems because food is a basic human need. When it is scarce, inaccessible, or unhealthy, it can lead to chaos, starvation, and even death. Yet despite Nigeria’s abundant agricultural resources, millions of people face daily struggles with food insecurity, malnutrition, and hunger.

According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index, 18% of Nigerians are undernourished. Additionally, 31.5% of children under five are stunted, and 6.5% are wasted, indicating serious levels of hunger across the country.

Many Nigerians spend most of their income on food, leaving little for other necessities. Some even resort to skipping meals to save money, while others borrow from friends, family, or loan apps just to survive. The streets are filled with people begging for food, and this desperation can sometimes lead to violence and theft.

In the week leading to the World Food Day, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) lamented the severe economic hardship in the country especially in the northern region where they said, some families could hardly afford a single square meal per day.

“People can no longer afford three square meals. We are not even talking about the three square meals; people cannot afford a single square meal per day,” the CNG coordinator said.

Every Nigerian reserves the right to safe, affordable and nutritions food! This a call to the government to do more to support farmers, reduce food waste, improve infrastructure, avoid flooding, and regulate food prices. Encouraging the consumption of locally-grown, nutrient-rich foods can significantly improve diets.

Meanwhile, a healthy diet is essential for the body to function properly. Ensuring the right to food goes beyond just having enough to eat — it is about eating the right kinds of food, because a contaminated food can lead to illnesses, which can be dangerous and even deadly. As the saying goes, “Food isn’t food unless it’s safe.” Hence, food safety is crucial, especially for vulnerable groups like children.

Looking ahead, ensuring food security and availability in Nigeria requires a collective effort from every stakeholder – the government, the private sector, and the communities.

In all, the right to affordable, safe, and nutritious food is a fundamental human right. It is vital for the health and well-being of every Nigerian and the continued development of our nation.

Together, we must work to make this right a reality for all.

Happy World Food Day 2024!