World Food Day: Stakeholders Push for Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Nigeria

Stakeholders from across government, development agencies, and the private sector have renewed calls for climate-smart agriculture and resilient food systems as vital pathways to ending hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria.

This call was made during the 11th Nutritious Food Fair in Kano State, held under the theme “Our Food, Our Heritage,” marking 2025 World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16 to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Agric Minister: “Climate-Smart Agriculture Central to Food Security”

In his remarks, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening food and nutrition security through sustainable agricultural policies.

“The government is integrating nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agriculture into national programmes to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition, especially among women and children. We must promote farming systems that are resilient to droughts, floods, and other climate shocks while ensuring that what we grow what nourishes our people,” he stressed.

Senator Abdullahi explained that the Ministry’s new framework prioritizes nutrient-dense, climate-resilient crops, and value chain development that supports rural livelihoods, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions and development partners.

“It is through partnerships like this that we can make meaningful progress in tackling malnutrition and building food systems that can withstand the pressures of climate change,” the minister added.

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Governor Yusuf: “Kano’s Committed to Climate-Resilient Agriculture”

In his address, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing food and nutrition insecurity through climate-resilient agriculture.

To this end, the Governor highlighted recent interventions, including the reactivation of nutrition centres across the state and the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) worth over ₦1 billion in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to treat severely malnourished children.

“Our goal is to ensure that every household in Kano has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. We are promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices to deal with the challenge of climate change. These steps are crucial to securing the future of our children and building a healthier, more resilient society,” he assured.

Governor Yusuf added that climate change was already affecting food availability, water resources, and public health, noting that “Agriculture must adapt to meet the dual challenge of feeding a growing population and protecting the environment.”

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Propcom+: “Food Systems Must Adapt to Climate Realities”

Dr. Adiya Ode, Country Representative and Political Director of Propcom+, described the fair as an important platform for dialogue on climate-resilient agriculture and nutrition-sensitive food systems.

“Food is life—it sustains our health, fuels productivity, and drives prosperity,” Dr Ode said. “But the reality is that climate change is putting immense pressure on our food systems. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation are undermining food production, which in turn worsens malnutrition. Building climate-resilient food systems is no longer an option; it is a necessity.”

The Propcom+ Political Director added that the programme promotes market-driven agricultural solutions that make farming more adaptive and profitable. “We continue to support local innovation and partnerships that integrate nutrition, climate resilience, and livelihoods.”

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HarvestPlus: “Biofortified Crops Hold the Key to Ending Hidden Hunger”

Similarly, Dr. Yusuf Fuad, Country Manager of HarvestPlus Solutions, underscored the role of biofortified and nutrient-enriched crops in addressing hidden hunger and strengthening resilience.

“We have seen remarkable progress in the uptake of biofortified crops such as Vitamin A maize and zinc rice. These crops not only improve nutrition but also perform better under climate stress, making them vital to both health and sustainability. Our collective goal should be to reach every Nigerian household with nutritious and climate-smart food,” he emphasized.

Dr. Fuad called for stronger coordination among development partners and government institutions to harmonize interventions, reduce duplication, and amplify impact. “Nutrition and climate resilience are deeply interconnected. When sustainable food systems are built, communities are strengthened to withstand both economic and environmental shocks.”

The 11th Nutritious Food Fair concluded with firm commitments from stakeholders to mainstream nutrition and climate resilience into agricultural policies, planning, and investment. Participants pledged to deepen partnerships, scale up climate-smart initiatives, and accelerate the transition toward a food system that nourishes both people and the planet.