Abuja: Nigeria has joined 21 other countries in the Convergence Initiative to integrate food systems transformation with climate action as part of efforts to strengthen food security and address climate challenges. The development was disclosed at a two-day National Dialogue on Nigeria’s Convergence Initiative in Abuja on Wednesday. The dialogue had the theme: ‘Bringing together stakeholders to advance the alignment between food systems transformation and climate action, empowering national efforts to achieve the SDGs and Paris Climate Agreement targets’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the initiative aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026-2030, which identified food security and climate resilience as strategic priorities. Uzoka-Anite emphasized that Nigeria’s participation in the initiative would promote evidence-based interventions, strengthen collaboration, and ensure locally adaptable solutions for sustainable food systems. She highlighted the importance of building a nation where no Nigerian goes to bed hungry, farmers thrive, communities are resilient to climate shocks, and economic growth translates to shared prosperity.
The minister further explained that Nigeria was facing the dual challenge of feeding a population projected to exceed 250 million by 2030 while adapting to climate impacts already affecting economic activities. She noted that coordinated action, evidence-based interventions, and shared accountability had enabled the country to make progress towards building food systems that were inclusive, equitable, and capable of delivering improved nutrition, environmental sustainability, and better livelihoods.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, also spoke at the event, stating that sustainable food systems could not be achieved without climate-smart approaches. He stressed the need for effective climate action to consider the transformation of the systems through which food was produced, processed, and consumed. Abdullahi commended the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Environment, and Budget and Economic Planning, alongside the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, UN Food Systems Hub, National Food Systems Convenor, and development partners for convening the dialogue.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Deborah Odoh, emphasized the critical role of climate-resilient food systems in Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth. She asserted that agricultural policies must integrate climate adaptation measures to strengthen resilience and reduce food inflation. Odoh highlighted the necessity of restructuring how food is produced, processed, and distributed to achieve the objectives of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2026-2030 and Nigeria Agenda 2050.
Deputy Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, Lara Blancho Rothe, noted that Nigeria’s participation marked an important step towards strengthening collaboration between food systems transformation and climate action. She acknowledged Nigeria’s commitment to transforming its food systems since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, with national and local dialogues contributing to the development of the country’s Food Systems Transformation Pathway and 78 priority actions. Rothe reaffirmed the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s food systems transformation through continued collaboration with government, the UN Country Team, and other stakeholders.