Spread the word
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise affordability, nutrition and stronger protections against unhealthy food environments in Nigeria’s food security agenda.
The Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, in a statement to mark World Food Day 2026, themed “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” said that Nigeria’s food production index has climbed steadily over the years.
Egbe said the country was becoming the leading producer of cassava, and a top-tier yam and sorghum producer, among other food staples.
He said massive post-harvest losses, insecurity in farming regions, logistics and supply chain gaps, cause widespread hunger with millions of Nigerians facing acute food insecurity and undernutrition.
Egbe called for sustained efforts to promote food availability.
He urged the government not to measure food security progress primarily by the volume of food produced or available in the marketplace, but to reflect on whether Nigerians are able to access food that is safe, nutritious, affordable and produced in ways that protect their health.
Referencing Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data on the rising cost of healthy diets, he blamed aggressive and deceptive marketing by the ultra-processed food industry for distorting Nigerians’ choice of, and access to nutritious diets.
“Food security must mean more than having something to eat. It must also mean having access to food that nourishes the body, protects health and supports human development.
“Nigerians should not have to choose between feeding their families and providing them with nutritious meals,” he said.
He warned that a food system that expands availability, without adequately addressing nutritional quality risks undermining public-health efforts.
Egbe noted that excessive consumption of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats is associated with diet-related health risks, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
He stressed that hunger and malnutrition cannot be addressed in isolation from the wider food environment, including the availability and marketing of ultra-processed products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, the affordability of fresh and minimally processed foods, and the strength of government regulations designed to protect consumers.
He identified the federal government’s ongoing review of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016–2025) and its plans to accelerate a National Food and Nutrition Bill to protect nutrition financing.
However, Egbe warned against relying on the ultra-processed food industry to address the country’s nutrition challenges, saying the industry’s loyalty is to profits rather than public health.
He called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory agencies to strengthen measures that make food products safer and healthier.
“These include an effective sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax, clear front-of-pack labels, sodium-reduction targets, restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, and sustained efforts to eliminate industrially produced trans fats.
“CAPPA called on the House of Representatives to emulate the Senate and pass the Customs, Excise Tariffs, etc. (Consolidation) Act (CETA) Amendment Bill, otherwise known as the SSB Tax Bill, in order to discourage excessive consumption of sugary beverages and mobilise domestic resources to strengthen the nation’s health system.
“We also call on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant authorities to strengthen food labelling and product regulation.
“The power to make informed choices must be returned to the consumer and a Front-of-Pack-Warning Label (FOPWL) does that.
“It require stronger protection from the promotion of foods and beverages high in nutrients of concern, including through digital advertising, influencer marketing and promotions around schools,” he said.
He further urged the government to address the affordability of nutritious food by investing in local food systems and supporting smallholder farmers, agroecological production, storage facilities, processing and distribution networks.
“Such investments, can help reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen local livelihoods and improve access to diverse foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
“Nigeria’s food policies must also confront the influence of commercial interests on public-health decision-making,” he said.
Spread the word