By Queen Kunde
NASS MOVES TO END MALNUTRITION
The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to strengthening laws, policies and sustainable funding aimed at tackling malnutrition and improving food security across Nigeria.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Chike Okafor, gave the assurance at the signing of a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding involving the Committee, Nutrition International and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.
Okafor said the partnership would strengthen the capacity of the National Assembly to develop evidence-based policies and legislation that would promote improved nutrition and food security for all Nigerians.
He explained that the agreement would also support the development of a stronger legislative system capable of ensuring sustainable financing, accountability and long-term implementation of nutrition programmes.
The lawmaker stressed that addressing malnutrition requires coordinated action, credible data and strong institutions that can translate policies into meaningful results.
Country Director of Nutrition International, Dr. Osita Okonkwo, described the partnership as a new approach to tackling nutrition challenges, noting that it would move beyond short-term interventions to building strong institutions capable of sustaining progress for generations.
He said collaboration among lawmakers, researchers and development partners was crucial to creating lasting solutions to Nigeria’s nutrition challenges.
Speaking on behalf of NILDS, the institute’s Legal Adviser, Dr. Shuaibu Danwanka, described the agreement as a major step towards providing lawmakers with credible research, policy analysis and technical guidance to support effective decision-making.
Danwanka said NILDS, as an agency of the National Assembly responsible for legislative research and capacity development, would support the implementation of the agreement through evidence-based studies and practical policy recommendations.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen nutrition governance and help turn policies and commitments into measurable action.
The collaboration is expected to deepen legislative support for nutrition programmes and contribute to efforts aimed at reducing malnutrition and improving food security across the country.