On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Hon. Chike Okafor, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, led a delegation from the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security to a pivotal meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This high-profile visit underscored the growing urgency to address Nigeria’s nutrition and food security challenges, culminating in plans for a National Summit aimed at galvanizing legislative and executive action. The meeting, held amid a backdrop of national crises, highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling malnutrition through its flagship Nutrition 774 Initiative.
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A Strategic Meeting at the Villa
The delegation’s visit to Vice President Shettima was a landmark moment for the National Legislative Network, a coalition of lawmakers from the National Assembly and state legislatures dedicated to advancing nutrition policies. Hon. Chike Okafor, representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency in Imo State, spearheaded the group, which included notable figures such as Hon. Bassey Akiba (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency) and other key stakeholders. The meeting took place in the Vice President’s office, a venue symbolizing the administration’s focus on actionable governance.
Shettima warmly received the lawmakers, commending their efforts to align legislative frameworks with the executive’s nutrition agenda. In his remarks, he emphasized the indispensable role of parliamentarians in driving the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a government-led program designed to enhance coordination, funding, and accountability across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. “The legislature is the backbone of this initiative’s success,” Shettima stated, urging lawmakers to move beyond rhetoric and enact laws that deliver tangible outcomes for Nigerian households.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative: A National Priority
The Nutrition 774 Initiative, a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to ensure that every mother and child, regardless of location, has access to tailored, life-saving nutrition interventions. Shettima highlighted its alignment with global goals like the UN Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063, integrating it with national policies such as the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the National Policy on Food and Nutrition. “This is not just about food abundance; it’s about the quality that nourishes our future,” he asserted, linking malnutrition to broader issues of insecurity and economic stagnation.
The Vice President called for swift legislative action on key reforms, including extending maternity leave from three to six months to support infant nutrition, regulating the sale of bulk vegetable oil to curb adulteration, and eliminating multiple taxation on food transport to ease inflation. “Hunger doesn’t wait for committee reports, and neither should we,” Shettima urged, pressing for a shift from policy discussions to execution.
Legislative Progress and the Road to the Summit
Hon. Chike Okafor, in his address, outlined the committee’s strides in advancing Nigeria’s nutrition agenda. He revealed that, through engagement with the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, all 36 state assemblies have established dedicated committees on nutrition and food security—a first in the nation’s legislative history. “Our mandate is to review and update existing laws to meet global standards,” Okafor noted, emphasizing the network’s role in fostering a unified legislative approach.
A major announcement from the meeting was the committee’s advanced preparations for a National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security. Okafor disclosed that the summit, set to be a collaborative effort with international organizations, aims to bring together lawmakers, policymakers, and stakeholders to forge a comprehensive strategy against malnutrition and food insecurity. “This summit will be a game-changer, amplifying our collective resolve,” he said, though specific dates remain forthcoming as planning intensifies.
Broader Implications Amid National Challenges
The timing of this visit is significant, coinciding with President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, and growing opposition to his administration ahead of the 2027 elections. The focus on nutrition and food security reflects a strategic pivot to address grassroots concerns—issues that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas recently described as Nigeria’s “major challenge” during a related briefing on March 18. The involvement of state assemblies, as highlighted by Okafor, extends this effort to the sub-national level, amplifying its reach.
Shettima’s emphasis on nutrition as a security and economic priority resonates with data showing that malnutrition exacerbates instability in Nigeria’s most volatile regions. By investing in this sector, the administration seeks to bolster long-term stability, a point he underscored: “A healthy nation is a safer nation.”
Voices of Support and Collaboration
The delegation included Hon. Michael Tolulope Ige, Majority Leader of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and Chairman of the National Legislative Network, who praised Shettima’s leadership and Okafor’s passion. “This network is taking the fight against malnutrition to every corner of Nigeria,” Ige said, noting plans to extend advocacy to local government areas. The presence of federal officials and the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Stanley Nkwocha, further signaled robust executive backing.
Okafor expressed gratitude to Shettima for his unwavering support, calling the meeting a “milestone in our journey to end hunger and malnutrition.” He pledged the committee’s commitment to translating legislative reforms into measurable impacts, aligning with the Vice President’s call for action over deliberation.
Looking Ahead: A Summit on the Horizon
As of March 21, 2025, the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security looms as a critical next step. With international partners already on board, the event promises to elevate Nigeria’s response to a crisis that affects millions. For Rep. Chike Okafor and his committee, the visit to Shettima marks a turning point—bridging legislative intent with executive vision to forge a healthier, more secure Nigeria.
The collaboration between Okafor’s network and the Tinubu administration underscores a shared resolve: to move from promises to progress. As Shettima concluded, “With you on board, we will not only fight malnutrition—we will win.” The nation now watches as this partnership sets the stage for transformative change.
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