Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has said the Nutrition 774 (N-774) initiative was introduced to bring transformative food systems strategies closer to Nigerian communities.
He made this known in his keynote address during the Nigeria side event on Catalyzing Change: Showcasing Nigeria’s Innovations and Collaborations in Food Systems Transformation at the UNFSS+4 Stocktake Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 27, 2025.
He explained that the program, spearheaded by the Presidency, aims to deliver nutrition interventions, education, and awareness campaigns across all 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria.
According to him, this initiative is designed to address nutritional needs at the grassroots level by combining localized input support, small-scale mechanization, extension services, storage infrastructure, and youth-led agribusiness clusters.
He further elaborated that the N-774 initiative plays a crucial role in revitalizing rural economies and boosting local food production.
It is also focused on reducing food import dependency while strengthening resilience at the last mile.
“This initiative stands as a testament to our vision of territorial inclusivity, improved livelihoods, and national food sovereignty,” he said.
The N-774 initiative is central to Nigeria’s drive to ensure that no community is left behind in the country’s food systems transformation journey.
The N-774 initiative was officially launched on February 20, 2025, during the 148th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja,
Senator Kyari also discussed Nigeria’s strategy for food systems transformation.
According to him, a key component of this transformation is the Nigeria Food Systems Dashboard and the Food Systems Countdown Initiative, which have been critical in strengthening inter-ministerial coordination and enhancing visibility.
“These efforts have expanded the evidence base for decision-making and enhanced accountability,” he explained, adding that they have contributed to key milestones, such as the review of the National Nutrition Scorecard and informed the setting of a new minimum wage aligned with the cost of meeting basic nutritional needs.
The Minister also highlighted the development of a Nutrition Dashboard, created in collaboration with the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
This dashboard, according to him, will strengthen monitoring and response efforts, helping to track progress and provide important insights into Nigeria’s food security and nutrition policies.
Innovation, the Minister explained, is at the core of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
He emphasized that whether in policy, financing, technology, or partnerships, innovation has been the driving force behind the country’s progress.
He pointed out that the country’s National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) has been instrumental in creating a technology-driven agricultural sector, prioritizing mechanization, digital solutions, and climate-smart practices.
Senator Kyari also touched on the progress of Nigeria’s agro-industrialization agenda, particularly the rollout of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs).
These zones, supported by institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Islamic Development Bank, are designed to create integrated value chains that reduce post-harvest losses and attract private sector investment.
“These zones will help modernize agricultural practices, reduce food wastage, and unlock new economic opportunities in rural areas,” he explained.
Speaking on the challenges Nigeria faces, particularly in the areas of climate change and environmental sustainability, the Minister stressed that the country is committed to climate-smart agriculture.
He noted that Nigeria is not only adapting to climate risks but also positioning itself as a champion of climate-resilient food systems across Africa.
He explained that scaling regenerative land use practices, early warning systems, and resilient seed varieties are crucial components of Nigeria’s strategy, particularly in regions like the Sahel that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
The Minister also underscored the importance of inclusivity in Nigeria’s food systems transformation, specifically in empowering youth and women.
He highlighted several initiatives, such as the Livelihood Improvement for Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) and the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), which aim to make agriculture profitable and attractive to young people and women.
“Our youth and women are at the forefront of this transformation. They are not merely beneficiaries but the leaders shaping Nigeria’s future agrifood systems,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of collaboration with international partners in advancing Nigeria’s food systems goals.
“We have strengthened our partnerships with organizations like UNICEF, GAIN, IFAD, FAO, WFP, and others to ensure that our food systems transformation is inclusive and resilient,” he said.
These partnerships have been instrumental in building a strong national food systems coordination mechanism that aligns federal and state-level efforts.
Despite the positive steps taken, the Minister acknowledged the persistent challenges Nigeria faces, including insecurity, climate-induced shocks, post-harvest losses, and rising food prices.
“We do not shy away from these challenges. Instead, we tackle them head-on with innovation, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to sustainable solutions,” he explained.
He also referred to the State of Emergency on Food Security declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has elevated food security as a national priority.
He noted that this declaration has led to swift reforms and targeted interventions to stabilize food prices, expand mechanization, and improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Under this declaration, the government has acted decisively to ensure food security remains a top priority,” the Minister added.
Senator Kyari also pointed to the creation of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which coordinates all food security interventions across the country.
He further explained that the Keeping Track of Financial Flows to Food Systems (3FS) framework has helped ensure that financial resources are properly aligned with Nigeria’s food systems priorities.
“Through this framework, we are able to track every investment, evaluate the impact of our programs, and bring together all relevant stakeholders,” he said.
