Wednesday November 12, 2025 | The National Assembly Library hosted delegates from the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Nutrition International, and the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security for the unveiling of the ‘Legislative Framework and Tools for Strengthening the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria’.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives was represented by Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, Deputy Chief Whip, who delivered the Speaker’s goodwill message. “Nutrition and food security are fundamental measures of a nation’s strength and resilience,” the Speaker stated. “Our collective goal is to ensure that every Nigerian child grows healthy, every household has access to adequate food, and every citizen is empowered to participate meaningfully in governance.”
Also delivering remarks were Hon. Chike Okafor, Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, and Uju Rochas-Anwuka, SSA to the President on Public Health.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) through Nutrition International, the initiative provides technical and financial support to develop and implement a legislative framework to be adopted by national and sub-national parliaments.
“Today marks an important step toward strengthening nutrition governance where it matters most—within the heart of democratic decision-making,” said Sergio Texta, Senior Global Portfolio Director for Nutrition Governance at Nutrition International. “Parliamentarians are central to driving the nutrition agenda through law-making, budget appropriation, and oversight. Nigeria has set an example for Africa and the world on institutionalizing nutrition accountability through parliamentary action.”
The Federal Government has been addressing malnutrition through initiatives such as the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) 2021–2025, which aims to achieve the World Health Assembly (WHA) nutrition targets by 2025. However, nutrition governance remains weakly institutionalized and poorly coordinated. The Legislative Framework aims to strengthen lawmakers’ roles in nutrition through law-making, budget allocation, and oversight.
The newly unveiled framework provides tools to strengthen the national legislative network, fostering coordination among federal, state, and local governments. It aims to institutionalize continuous improvement and knowledge exchange, while promoting a metrics-driven approach to track and evaluate progress.
Until recently, the 10th National Assembly did not have a dedicated Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, which was inaugurated in February 2024. Recognizing the importance of coordinated action at all levels, similar committees are now being established across Nigeria’s 36 states under the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, inaugurated on 20 July 2024. The Network brings together members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Nutrition and Food Security and representatives from 14 State Houses of Assembly.
Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library, extended his congratulations to the delegates on the successful unveiling and commended their efforts in advancing national nutrition policy.
View more photos from the engagement below:
