Nigeria urges private investment in local nutritious food production

The Nigerian Federal Government is urging private sector investors and financial institutions to fund the local production, processing, and distribution of nutritious foods. During a high-level roundtable in Abuja, officials emphasized that nutrition should be treated as an industrial and economic priority rather than just a health issue, noting its impact on workforce productivity, education, and national competitiveness.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Uju Anwukah, highlighted the ‘Nutrition 774 Initiative’ (N-774), which aims to combat malnutrition across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas. Anwukah noted that the government cannot address the needs of the country’s estimated 220 million people alone and cited an estimated return of $23 for every $1 invested in nutrition.

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, stated that Nigeria faces a ‘double burden’ of malnutrition, consisting of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies alongside diet-related diseases like diabetes and hypertension. To address this, the ministry is developing a Unified Trade Sector Nutrition Strategic Plan to integrate nutrition into industrial policies, trade frameworks, and commercial activities, with a focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing of therapeutic foods and supplements.