By Ify Onyekwere
The National Stakeholders Dialogue on the Right to Food Act, which was organized by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) in partnership with Oxfam, Farm and Infrastructure Foundation, and Community Action for Food Security and some other Agricultural agencies, brought together key industry experts and policymakers on January 29, 2025 to discuss on the Right to Food Act and review ways to increase the actions needed.
Barr. Yahaya Dan’ Asabe Dangana, SAN, speaking on the legal implications of the Right to Food Act, stressed that government policies must prioritize food production, distribution, quality, and quantity. He recalled Nigeria’s Farm Settlement Scheme of the 1960s, questioning why such initiatives had faded. “Before we look at this recent Act, we must recognize the challenges to implementation. Security is a primary concern. If I own 50 acres of farmland, how secure is it? Can I walk freely in and out of my farm at any hour without fear of banditry and kidnapping?” he asked. He noted that while the Nigerian Constitution preserves fundamental rights such as freedom of movement and property ownership, the right to food remains in Chapter 2 of the constitution, which has a non-justiciability clause, making it difficult to enforce.
Mrs. Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, Director of Fresh Hub, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, emphasized the importance of modernizing agriculture, giving an instance of happenings in Lagos state. “We are promoting urban farming, including sandbag farming, making agriculture attractive to young people,” she explained. Lagos State, she added, has established fresh food halls and central logistics centers in collaboration with other states, ensuring affordability and availability. “Our aggregation centers process broilers, blast freeze produce, and reduce post-harvest losses. We have also developed an egg powder processing center to extend the shelf life of eggs and minimize waste,” she said.
From Benue State, Mrs. Monica Nguveren Yaaya, Director of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, pointed efforts to support farmers. “In 2022, no fertilizers were supplied, leaving farmers stranded. However, in 2024, we doubled the supply to 200 trucks of fertilizers and other agro-inputs at subsidized rates,” she noted. Collaborations with institutions such as Joseph Sarwuan Ataka University of Agriculture and Benue State University have improved seed quality and provided training for food handlers and extension workers to support dry-season farming.
Mr. Emmanuel N. Naandokol, Deputy Director of Livestock Development Services and Food and Nutrition Security Analyst at the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, spoke on the state’s agricultural transformation agenda. “No government has approved projects on this scale for agricultural transformation in Plateau State before now. We are separating policy formulation from implementation, allowing the Ministry to focus on policy while Agricultural Development Programs (ADPs) drive execution,” he explained. He revealed plans to cultivate all available arable land across the state, mobilizing staff to oversee grant utilization and reserving funds for agricultural growth. “Mechanization is key, and we are working on deploying 200 subsidized tractors to individuals and cooperatives,” he added.
Other notable guests included Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola, who provided insights on agricultural policies, and Oxfam Country Director, Mr. John Mikana, who gave the opening remarks. In his welcome address, host Michael Terungwa David, PhD, underscored the need for actionable steps in ensuring the Right to Food Act benefits all Nigerians.
Some other participants called for greater accountability in food security programs, urging strict monitoring of agricultural grants and loans. Some emphasized the need for sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food production and improve livelihoods. The dialogue ended with a collective commitment to pushing for stronger legislative backing and practical solutions to address food insecurity in Nigeria.
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