Nigeria is in dire need of a food revolution, driven by cutting-edge research in food science.
Food science researchers say that the science of food has not been put in its proper position in the country, if not most of the issue of unsafe foods and hunger could have been averted.
They say that, by prioritising food safety, security, and sustainability, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its food industry, ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future for its citizens.
Recent statistics have shown that Nigeria’s food security situation is a pressing concern, with significant increase in the number of food-insecure Nigerians.
The statistics reveal that, as of 2024, over 100 million Nigerians are facing food insecurity, up from 28 million pre-COVID. This surge is attributed to various factors, including inflation, climate change, and conflict.
The food inflation rate in Nigeria has been rising steadily, reaching 35.41 per cent in January 2024, up from 33.9 per cent in December 2023. This increase has made it difficult for many Nigerians to access basic food items, exacerbating the food insecurity crisis.
In terms of specific numbers, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that the number of food-insecure Nigerians increased from 66.2 million in Q1 2023 to 100 million in Q1 2024. This represents a significant jump, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions to address the food security crisis in Nigeria.
The Oxford dictionary defines food security as the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Being food insecure is a situation when people don’t have enough to eat and don’t know where their next meal will come from.
Experts in the food science industry are also of the opinion that Nigeria’s food revolution will depend on the collective efforts of researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society.
According to them, by working together to address the complex issues surrounding food safety and insecurity, Nigeria can build a more resilient, sustainable food system that benefits all.
To further accelerate progress, experts emphasise the need for increased investment in food science research and development.
However, the path to success is not without obstacles. Nigeria’s food industry faces numerous hurdles, including bottlenecks in food safety and quality control.
The lack of stringent regulatory measures and inadequate enforcement of existing laws exacerbate the problem, leaving consumers vulnerable to foodborne illnesses.
Moreover, the country’s food systems are plagued by inefficiencies, from farm to table. Post-harvest losses, inadequate storage facilities, and limited access to markets all contribute to food insecurity, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Despite these complexities, Nigeria’s food science research community made some strides in addressing these issues. By leveraging international collaborations, government support, and private sector investment, researchers are developing innovative solutions to improve food safety, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance nutritional security.
One notable area of progress is in the development of novel food processing technologies. Researchers are exploring new methods to preserve and package food, reducing the risk of contamination and spoilage.
Additionally, scientists are working to develop more resilient and nutritious crop varieties, better equipped to thrive in Nigeria’s challenging climate.
Expressing her views, Prof. Gloria Elemo, the former Director-General, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, urged the Federal Government to give priority to food science in order to solve food security challenges in the country.
She opined that attaining sufficient, safe and healthy food for Nigerians through food science and technology was of utmost importance.
Elemo, who is also a Professor of Biochemistry at Lagos State University of Science and Technology, said the science of food must be given respect, if the government wanted to surmount the issue of food insecurity in Nigeria.
According to her, food science involves the application of scientific principles and techniques to understand and improve the production, processing, and distribution of food.
“Presently, we are wallowing in unsafe food practices, because of the present skyrocketing inflation.
“We are currently having reduced purchasing power to obtain healthy foods and this has led to acute hunger lingering in the air.
“Food science plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges and ensuring food security in Nigeria,” she stated.
The professor noted that there was an urgent need for action as food scientists to put out their expertise across the country to help the Federal Government.
She also urged the government to implement some of the policies that researchers had come up with to make food security better in the country.
“We need to make use of what we have to feed the nation and stop importing unsafe foods into the country,” she said.
Citing examples, Elemo noted that during economic crises, regions such as America and Europe had consistently demonstrated resilience, thanks to their robust food systems.
She stated that specifically, these regions had historically implemented effective policies to ensure food security, thereby cushioning the effects of economic downturns.
The professor stressed that there was an urgent need for collaboration between the government, industry and academia to solve the present food crisis.
On other solutions, she proposed that the government should establish food and agro-allied processing and skill acquisition/training centres in universities and local governments.
She noted that the centres should address post-harvest losses, which would occur with massive food production.
Elemo said that other areas the centre could address included proliferation of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, job and wealth creation, food/nutrition security and waste management/value addition.
On his own part, Mr Oluyemi Oloyede, the Managing Director, UAC Foods Ltd., urged the Federal Government to develop a national climate smart food production calendar to boost sustainability.
Oloyede noted that the country could no longer afford to plant only when it was rainy season.
He stressed the need for development of effective systems for climate resilient crop varieties and animals due to global warming and climate change.
Oloyede pointed out that it was necessary to build data from weather forecasting, early warning signs of flooding to effectively and efficiently manage the impacts of climate change on food and livestock production.
“Nigeria has 34 million hectares of arable land where we produce some staple foods in large quantities and it must amplify and prioritise it to meet national requirements and export.
“We are a large producer of cassava, yam, cocoyam, beans, melon seeds and we are among the largest producers of groundnuts, maize, rice and plantain.
“Instead of trying to compete in wheat or sugar or milk, at least for a start, we should first scale where we have competitive advantages.
“We need to increase acreage, support mechanisation, release improved seeds that will increase yields, subsidise scaled production and use some of these as substitutes where we do not have competitive advantage,“ he said.
He also stressed the need to boost nutrition in children and young adults, noting that 32 per cent of children under five in Nigeria were malnourished.
Oloyede noted that nowadays, most Nigerian households considered price, taste, sufficiency over and above nutrition, adding that this was responsible for the quality of food that were available in our markets and shelves.
Citing an example, he said an average consumer wanted protein such as cow milk but because of the challenges of accessibility, the consumer had to step down from skimmed milk or full cream, to non-dairy creamer.
Oloyede explained that consumers now sacrificed nutrition ( protein levels as high as 30 per cent) for affordability (protein levels as low as two per cent).
“We must view the current global, national and sub-national challenges as opportunities to develop plans to guarantee food security at all levels and this is everyone’s responsibility, including government and donor agencies.
“As a country, we cannot produce all foods, no country in the world does, hence we need to decide on what is to be produced and exported.
“We must operate an open market that allows us to export and import.
“Nigerians need to stop seeing imports as evil, especially when we are battling with food inflation and other countries are able to produce these foods cheaper,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Bola Osinowo, the President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, said the government needed to make extra effort in 2025 regarding the food sector.
According to him, the Federal Government needs to increase support for agriculture and implement food availability and accessibility interventions to boost the nation’s food sector.
Osinowo called for enhanced food safety regulations and collaboration with international organisations, such as the World Food Programme, to ensure a safer and more sustainable food system.
“As a food science expert, I believe that Nigeria’s research institutions hold the key to unlocking solutions to the country’s food security and safety challenges.
“By focusing on practical research and development, they can drive innovation in areas such as crop yields, disease-resistant varieties, and food processing techniques.
“The development of cutting-edge technologies like precision agriculture and vertical farming can also significantly boost food production, processing, and distribution,” Osinowo states.
Delving more into the roles of researchers, he said capacity building and training were also critical components of a comprehensive approach to food security and safety.
He pointed out that this could be done by equipping farmers and food processors with the knowledge and skills they needed to adopt best practices, such as Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices, to enhance food safety and quality.
On government role, Osinowo stressed the need to invest in the next generation of food scientists and experts through targeted educational programmes and entrepreneurship support to drive innovation and growth in the sector.
“Effective policy and advocacy are essential for creating an enabling environment for food security and safety. This requires evidence-based research to inform policy decisions, as well as advocacy for policies and programmes that prioritise food security and safety.
“Collaboration between government agencies, industry partners, and civil society organisations is also crucial for promoting a coordinated approach to food security and safety.
“By working together and leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can build a safer, more sustainable food system for all Nigerians,” Osinowo stated.
By Funmilola Gboteku, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
