The Federal Government and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have begun consultations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to develop a national plan to prevent and manage food and nutrition crises.
The consultations commenced in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Representatives of the six North-East states, federal institutions, security agencies and development partners participated in the exercise.
The initiative, coordinated by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) in collaboration with FAO, is expected to produce the National Food and Nutrition Crisis Preparedness Plan (NFNCPP), which will strengthen early warning systems, risk management and coordinated responses to emerging food security threats.
The plan will address risks associated with climate shocks, insecurity, production constraints, market disruptions, economic pressures and disruptions to regional and global supply chains.
The consultations will focus on improving information sharing and coordination among federal, state and local governments, as well as international partners, to enable authorities to identify threats early and respond before they develop into full-scale crises.
Welcoming participants, Borno State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr. Bawu Musami, said “Borno has built real experience in supporting farmers and communities through difficult seasons, and we are proud to host the first of these consultations. Every State brings knowledge and systems that can strengthen the whole country. When we share information, identify risks early and act together, we can reduce their impact, support farmers sooner and protect livelihoods more effectively.”
The FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadian, said the country needed to strengthen preventive measures in response to recurring climate shocks, economic pressures and security challenges.
“Recurrent climate shocks, economic pressures, and security challenges mean we can no longer afford to rely on reactive responses to food crises. Bringing State and Federal actors together through these zonal consultations is enabling local insights and field data to directly shape Nigeria’s crisis preparedness framework. FAO remains committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria in turning early warnings into anticipatory action that safeguard vulnerable farming communities before crises escalate into emergencies,” said Gadian.
The consultations will continue across the remaining five geopolitical zones in October to develop a national preparedness plan that reflects the needs and priorities of all states.
