Nigeria Partners with CILSS to Strengthen Food Security and Nutrition Resilience

Nigeria Partners with CILSS to Strengthen Food Security and Nutrition Resilience

ESTHER SALIFU , Abuja

In a move to bolster food and nutrition security, the Nigerian government is collaborating with the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS).

This partnership aims to modernize agriculture, enhance resilience, and ensure food sovereignty across the region.

During a recent meeting in Abuja, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector.

He highlighted initiatives such as promoting sustainable farming practices, cultivating biofortified crops like zinc-enriched rice, and adopting mechanization to boost productivity.

“We are keen to work together to strengthen the technical capacity of the federal, state, and local government factors and identify a sustainable investment framework that would support resilience,” Abdullahi stated.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Marcus Ogunbiyi, added that the government is assessing the country’s preparedness to tackle food and nutrition safety challenges. He stressed the importance of the collaboration with CILSS in achieving long-term food sovereignty for Nigeria.

CILSS Executive Secretary, Abdoulaye Mahamadou, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to addressing food and nutrition challenges across the Sahel and West Africa.

He noted that CILSS focuses on improving the resilience of food systems, monitoring nutrition trends, and advocating for sustainable and affordable diets.

“CILSS is a key player in the fight against food and nutrition insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa, working to build resilience, improve food systems, and ensure that the region’s population has access to safe and nutritious food,” Mahamadou stated.

It was further disclosed that the collaboration aligns with broader regional efforts to enhance food security and resilience, Sahel countries have called for increased investments in irrigation to improve food security, recognizing the need for efficient, sustainable, and resilient irrigation systems to face environmental and socio-economic challenges.