Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation on food security, nutrition and sustainable livestock development, amid rising concerns over climate shocks and worsening food insecurity across the region.
The renewed partnership formed the focus of a high-level meeting convened on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Mr. Antón Leis García. The meeting brought together senior Nigerian officials, regional actors and development partners to chart coordinated responses to food system challenges.
Conveying the message of the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, commended Spain for its sustained support for sustainable food systems, climate adaptation initiatives and social protection programmes across West Africa.
She identified feed and fodder shortages, rehabilitation of grazing reserves, improved surveillance and biosecurity systems, and gender inclusion in livestock value chains as critical pillars for achieving long-term food security and improved nutrition outcomes.
“Nigeria is committed to transforming its livestock ecosystem into one that is climate-resilient, market-oriented, and inclusive. Strengthening our bilateral cooperation with Spain, while leveraging the expertise of multilateral and humanitarian partners, will accelerate sustainable solutions that directly impact farmers, pastoralists, women, and vulnerable populations,” she said.
In his remarks, García stressed the urgency of knowledge sharing and regionally driven solutions in the face of climate change, floods, droughts and market disruptions.
“There is a lot of knowledge in the region that we must ensure is shared,” he stated. “We see both a challenge and an opportunity, to build resilient food systems that address immediate needs while creating long-term opportunities for West Africans.”
He reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States and other regional partners to strengthen food systems, improve nutrition outcomes and ensure inclusive interventions.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve initiative, under which Nigeria hosts one of the largest storage facilities among member states, reinforcing its strategic role in regional food security operations.
The meeting attracted key development actors, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Children’s Fund, alongside civil society organisations.
Presenting the nutrition outlook, UNICEF’s representative warned that an estimated 35 million Nigerians across 27 states are projected to face food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, with about three million children at risk of severe acute malnutrition. The agency noted that malnutrition remains a leading underlying cause of child mortality, with lasting implications for cognitive development, productivity and national growth.
Participants at the meeting called for coordinated, data-driven and locally led interventions, stressing that strengthening regional food reserves, improving maternal and child nutrition, and building resilience against climate shocks require integrated action by governments, development institutions and humanitarian partners.
