Stakeholders in Abuja on Wednesday called for the full implementation of the Right to Food Act to ensure that every Nigerian has access to food.

Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, Michael David, made this appeal at the National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Nigeria’s Right to Food Act 2023.

He said, “The passage of the Right to Food Act was a significant milestone, but without full implementation, its impact remains limited. Today, we must reaffirm our commitment to turning policy into action, holding relevant authorities accountable, and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to food as a basic human right.”

He noted that in the proposed N49 trillion national budget, the ministry of agriculture and food ecurity has been allocated N636 billion, representing just 1.28 per cent of the total budget.

“What is this amount compared to Nigeria’s population of 230 million?” Mr David asked.

He further noted that the approved allocation for agriculture and food security falls short of Nigeria’s commitment under the Malabo Declaration.

He stated, “The Malabo Declaration of 2014 committed African governments to allocate at least 10 per cent of their national budgets to agriculture.”

The ED of GIFSEP emphasised that the Malabo Declaration aims to eradicate hunger by 2025.

A paper presentation by the President of the Farm Infrastructure Foundation, Gbolagade Ayoola, condemned policy impunity and urged the government to ensure full accountability in the implementation of policies.

“Food security has been unattainable since Nigeria’s independence due to the lack of full implementation of the Right to Food Act. The right to food is freedom from hunger,” he said.

Similarly, Director of Fresh Food Hub, Lagos Ministry of Agriculture and Food System, Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, described the full implementation of the Right to Food Act as a welcome development.

She commended the Lagos State Government for ensuring food availability for all residents, particularly in line with the Right to Food Act, and urged beneficiaries to make the initiative sustainable.

On his part, the agricultural expert and advisor for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, Cyril Bikom, stated that the initiative was restoring one million hectares of land across 19 northern states and the FCT to enhance food security. 

(NAN)