The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos Chapter, has emphasized the crucial role of urban planning in addressing food security challenges in the country.
At a recent lecture honoring the late Dr. Femi Olomola, experts stressed that, “We can’t be talking about food security without talking about urban planning.”
They noted that the conversion of agricultural zones to residential areas has contributed to food insecurity and called on the government to prioritize urban planning in addressing this issue.
Professor Lateef Sanni, Guest speaker and Executive Director/CEO of NSPRI, identified inconsistency in policies and weak implementation mechanisms as major obstacles to food security in Nigeria.
Sanni argued that “weak implementation mechanisms also undermined efforts to support farmers and enhance food security.”
He defined food security as “the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to safe and nutritious food.”
To address food insecurity, Sanni recommended capacity building, youth involvement in agriculture, and a multifaceted approach involving policy reforms, technological innovations, infrastructure development, and community engagement.
He emphasized that “collaboration between government, NGOs, international partners, and local communities is essential to achieving these goals and creating a sustainable future.”
Other speakers, including Mr. Tayo Awomosu, Chairman of NITP, and Mr. Bisi Adedire, President of ATOPCON, commended the contributions of late Dr. Femi Olomola and emphasized the importance of urban planning in addressing food security challenges.
