REVISED NATIONAL POLICY ON FOOD AND NUTRITION

What Is This Policy?

The Revised National Policy on Food and Nutrition is Nigeria’s updated plan (2026–2035) to fight hunger and malnutrition, strengthen food systems, and improve health nationwide.

Who Does It Target?

It is designed to target specific groups and stakeholders most affected by malnutrition and food insecurity, while also involving institutions responsible for implementation.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

The policy aims to end hunger, reduce malnutrition, strengthen food systems, and improve health and productivity across Nigeria by 2035.

Key Features

Multisectoral Framework: Involves health, agriculture, education, social protection, water and sanitation, and women affairs. Food Systems Transformation: Focuses on resilience against climate change, population growth, rising food costs, and supply chain disruptions. Updated Policy Cycle: The 2016–2025 policy expired, and the new framework covers 2026–2035.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: early rollout phase Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: women of reproductive age, children and displaced population Funding: federal and state government budgets, development partners(UNICEF & FAO)

How to Access

Federal ministry of budget and economic planning Copies of the revised policy are available through the Ministry’s publications and official communications National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS) Legislative records and policy document are often published on https://nass.gov.ng

Important Terms

Term 1- Food Security: Defined as reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all Nigerians, central to the policy’s mission of ending hunger and malnutrition. Term 2- Nutrition Security : Goes beyond food availability to include adequate dietary intake, health services, and sanitation. Ensures that people not only have food but also achieve optimal nutritional status. Term 3- Multisectoral Approach: Nutrition is recognized as a cross-cutting issue involving health, agriculture, education, social protection, water and sanitation, and women affairs

Official Resources

Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Publishes and distributes the official policy document National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS) Website: https://nass.gov.ng Contact Information Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Headquarters: Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, Nigeria. Phone: +234 (0) 9 234 0627 Email: [email protected] Federal Ministry of Health Plays a key role in nutrition-related implementation. Website: https://health.gov.ng

Legal Framework

The Revised National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2026–2035) operates under the National Health Act 2014, the National Agricultural Policy, and the National Food Safety Policy. It aligns with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act, the Child Rights Act 2003, and Nigeria's obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2 — Zero Hunger) and the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025).