Khadijah Aliyu
Nigeria has been ranked 115th out of 123 countries in the 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI), signalling a severe food security crisis driven by poverty, high inflation, and insecurity.
This revelation was made by Dr Adiya Ode, Country Representative and Political Director of the UK Government-funded Propcom+ Programme, during the Nutritious Food Fair held in Kano State to commemorate World Food Day 2025.
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The event, themed “Our Food, Our Heritage,” was organised by the Kano State Government in collaboration with Propcom+ (FCDO) and HarvestPlus Solutions, and brought together key stakeholders from across the agricultural and nutrition sectors.
Dr Ode noted that, according to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (2024), over 31.8 million Nigerians are currently facing acute food insecurity, compounded by malnutrition among women and children.
She urged the Federal Government and stakeholders to adopt collaborative, innovative, and inclusive solutions in climate-smart agriculture to combat hunger and enhance food security nationwide.
“Government and relevant stakeholders must work together to make nutritious foods more available, affordable, and desirable for every household in Nigeria,” she emphasised.
Dr Ode reaffirmed Propcom+’s commitment to advancing agricultural transformation through market-driven and climate-smart innovations that empower smallholder farmers and promote sustainability.
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In his remarks, Dr Yusuf Dolkah Fuad, Country Manager of HarvestPlus, highlighted findings from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey, which revealed that most rural households consume what they produce.
“When farmers cultivate nutrient-enriched staple crops, they gain direct access to the essential vitamins and micronutrients their families need. This food-based approach remains one of the most cost-effective and sustainable ways to tackle hidden hunger,”.
Dr Fuad also called for stronger collaboration among development partners and government agencies, stressing that effective coordination is key to reducing malnutrition at the community level.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed that the Federal Government has declared a state of emergency on food production under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the reforms aim to unlock Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential through policy innovations and strategic infrastructure investments that will enhance productivity and food supply.
Declaring the event open, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to improving nutrition and food access through multi-sectoral interventions.
He revealed that, in collaboration with UNICEF, the Kano State Government recently procured ₦1 billion worth of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to treat malnourished children.
Dr. Abubakar also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote biofortified crops, climate-smart farming, and value addition to empower women, youth, and rural farmers.
The event featured panel discussions and exhibitions, with participants exploring innovative strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s food systems and improve nutrition security across all regions.