NAFDAC
By Olayiwola Mercy
NAFDAC celebrated World Food Day 2025 in alignment with the global theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” This significant event, observed on October 16, highlights the agency’s commitment to ensuring food safety and quality in Nigeria. According to a statement shared on its official X handle, NAFDAC emphasized the importance of collaboration among governments, industries, academia, NGOs, civil society, and consumers to achieve safer food systems and a sustainable future.
The agency’s Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate organized a capacity-building session for officers, reinforcing NAFDAC’s dedication to food safety and quality. This effort underscores the critical role NAFDAC plays in regulating food products and protecting public health.
The World Food Day celebration coincides with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of global action to defeat hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The FAO’s theme for 2025 aligns with NAFDAC’s mission, emphasizing the need for collective action to ensure everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
Global leaders, including Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and the FAO Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving food security and sustainable agriculture. They stress the importance of collaboration and innovative solutions to address pressing challenges such as climate change, economic shocks, and fragile supply chains.
In Nigeria, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, along with other stakeholders, has emphasized the need for agricultural innovation, resilience, and sustainable food systems. Initiatives such as the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme and the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy aim to boost agricultural productivity and food security.
The celebration of World Food Day serves as a reminder of the progress made towards achieving food security and the challenges that lie ahead. It highlights the need for continued collaboration and collective action to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food and to promote sustainable agriculture practices .
