The Federal Government has called for food security strategies that go beyond increasing agricultural production, warning that millions of households could remain hungry if they cannot afford nutritious food, even when supplies are available in local markets.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement, Ambassador Bola Asaju of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said poverty, displacement and loss of livelihoods continued to prevent many households from accessing adequate food.
Nigeria welcomed the report presented by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, particularly its emphasis on human dignity, support for smallholder farmers, stronger local markets and the development of resilient food systems.
The delegation identified irrigation, rural infrastructure, storage facilities and agricultural processing as key areas requiring investment to strengthen the country’s food system.
According to the statement, these investments could reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ earnings and increase the supply of affordable food for consumers.
Nigeria also called for greater participation by women and young people in agricultural production and rural development, noting that insecurity and climate-related pressures continued to disrupt farming, displace communities and undermine household incomes.
The government further warned that declining humanitarian assistance and rising debt burdens could constrain developing countries’ ability to finance food security programmes and respond to growing humanitarian needs.
It urged international partners to provide affordable financing, appropriate technologies and practical support tailored to countries’ development priorities.
Addressing urban poverty, the Nigerian delegation said rising rents, transportation expenses and charges for basic services were placing increasing pressure on household budgets, leaving many people struggling to meet essential needs despite working daily.
It cautioned that poorly planned urban development could worsen poverty by displacing residents or cutting them off from their sources of livelihood.
To address these concerns, Nigeria advocated inclusive urban planning, consultations with affected communities and improved access to affordable housing and essential services.
The delegation also highlighted the challenges confronting informal workers, small-scale traders, young people and persons with disabilities, groups it said required consideration in efforts to tackle urban poverty.
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to food security and poverty reduction through agricultural development, livelihood support and social protection programmes.
The government called on UN human rights mechanisms to ensure their recommendations reflect the practical challenges facing developing countries while strengthening national capacities to address poverty, hunger and inequality.
