FG links food security to Nigeria’s health transformation

The Federal Government has linked food security directly to the country’s health transformation agenda, describing nutrition as the foundation for improved public health outcomes and sustainable healthcare reforms.

Dr Iziaq Salako,the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, stated this at the National Traditional and Religious Leaders’ Summit on Health on Tuesday in Abuja.

Salako noted that no health system could thrive in the face of widespread hunger and malnutrition.

According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, recognises food security as central to national development, stressing that preventive healthcare starts with adequate nutrition.

“Good health outcomes are driven by good nutrition. If we fail to address hunger, we will continue to battle avoidable diseases, poor maternal outcomes and stunted child development,” he said.

The minister highlighted the National Community Food Bank Programme, championed by the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, as a strategic intervention designed to combat hunger, reduce vulnerability and strengthen community-level accountability.

According to him, the initiative complements ongoing reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Reform Investment Initiative, which seeks to align federal, state and local actors toward strengthening primary healthcare and achieving universal health coverage.

Salako explained that nutrition played a critical role in preventive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare, noting however that malnutrition weakens immunity, increases susceptibility to infectious diseases and worsens maternal and child health indices.

He added that the government’s approach went beyond food distribution to include community ownership, local engagement and collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, to ensure the most vulnerable populations were reached.

“Our goal is to transit from a government-led reform process, to a community-owned health system. Food security is a vital entry point into that transformation,” he said.

The minister said that empowering community leaders would enhance transparency, improve service uptake and drive demand for essential health services, such as routine immunisation, maternal healthcare, family planning and child nutrition programmes.

He cited evidence showing that when community gatekeepers were involved in health programme design and implementation, acceptance improved while resistance declined, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

He noted that strengthening primary healthcare remained the cornerstone of Nigeria’s health reform efforts, describing it as the most cost-effective pathway to delivering equitable services.

Salako reiterated that tackling hunger would significantly reduce preventable illnesses, lower healthcare costs and improve cognitive and physical development among children.

“Investing in nutrition is investing in the future productivity and stability of Nigeria,” he said.

The minister commended traditional and religious leaders for their continued support in promoting vaccine uptake and other public health interventions.

He urged them to extend the same commitment to nutrition advocacy and food security initiatives.

Our correspondent reports that stakeholders at the summit agreed that integrating food security into health planning would accelerate progress toward universal health coverage and improve Nigeria’s human development indicators.

The summit forms part of broader efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda, to strengthen community engagement, deepen social protection systems and build a resilient healthcare system that would leave no Nigerian behind.