|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for initiating the review of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016–2025), describing the move as timely and critical to strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience, food security, and human capital development.
The President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, while reacting to the ongoing policy overhaul, noted that a robust, forward-looking food and nutrition framework is essential not only for improving public health outcomes but also for enhancing national productivity, strengthening agro-industrial value chains, and stimulating private sector growth.
“Food and nutrition security are foundational to economic stability and sustainable development. A well-structured policy framework that responds to current realities, including climate change, rising food costs, supply chain disruptions, and demographic pressures, will significantly enhance the capacity of Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to contribute meaningfully to national growth,” Chief Obegolu stated.
He further emphasised that the proposed 10-year roadmap (2026–2035) presents a strategic opportunity to deepen private sector participation in food systems transformation, agribusiness innovation, food processing, storage, logistics, and nutrition-focused enterprises.
According to the ACCI President, for the revised policy to deliver measurable impact, it must deliberately create an enabling environment for investment through policy coherence, fiscal incentives, improved access to finance, and strong public-private partnerships.
“The business community stands ready to collaborate with government, development partners, and civil society to drive practical solutions that ensure affordable and nutritious food for all Nigerians, while also stimulating enterprise development and job creation,” he added.
ACCI also welcomed the consultative approach adopted in the review process, noting that broad stakeholder engagement enhances policy ownership, implementation effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
While reaffirming its commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at improving food systems and reducing malnutrition in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, ACCI called for the deliberate inclusion of the dairy industry as a strategic pillar in the updated framework.
The Chamber noted that the dairy sector plays a critical role in combating malnutrition, particularly among children, women, and vulnerable populations—given its high nutritional value and contribution to protein and micronutrient intake.
Despite Nigeria’s cattle population of over 20 million, more than 60 percent of national dairy demand is currently met through imports due to low local productivity, weak value chains, inadequate infrastructure, and limited adoption of modern dairy practices.
ACCI stressed that targeted policy support for the dairy industry would significantly reduce import dependence, strengthen local production, create jobs, and improve national nutrition outcomes.
The Chamber further described the recent establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development as a welcome and timely institutional reform capable of improving sector coordination, addressing long-standing structural challenges, and strengthening livestock value chains. Importantly, ACCI noted that a well-coordinated livestock policy framework could also help address persistent farmer–herder conflicts that have disrupted agricultural production, displaced rural communities, and threatened food security in several parts of the country.
ACCI also underscored the importance of strong collaboration with local government authorities and grassroots institutions to ensure effective policy implementation. According to the Chamber, local governments are best positioned to translate national policy interventions into tangible community-level out
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.