The Federal Government has called on states and other stakeholders to contribute to the validation of the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Nigeria’s Food Systems Transformation Pathways (FSTP), stressing the need for a coordinated approach to addressing food security challenges across the country.
The move was part of an effort being made through a three-day biannual review of the implementation of the FSTP strategy and validation of the draft SOP for the South-West geopolitical zone, held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The Three-day meeting commenced on Tuesday, 20th October, and will be concluded on Thursday, 22nd October 2026, with participants from the South-West region as the principal players – Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, alongside academia, development partners and other concerned stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh, the National Convener of the Food Systems Transformation Pathway for Nigeria, Dr. Clementina Ebere-Okoro, said the input of state governments and regional stakeholders was essential to developing a practical framework that reflects the realities of implementation.
She explained that although the Federal Government had prepared a draft SOP, the involvement of states and geopolitical zones was necessary to ensure that the final document provided a harmonised approach to coordination, implementation, reporting and accountability.
She added that the bi-annual review was designed to assess progress across federal and state levels, identify emerging issues, document lessons and good practices, and agree on practical actions to improve implementation.
In his keynote address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, said transforming food systems was critical to improving food security and nutrition, creating jobs, supporting economic growth and improving household welfare.
He explained that food systems transformation extended beyond agricultural production to include processing, storage, transportation, distribution, market access, and sustainable consumption.
George noted that Lagos State’s position as a major centre of consumption, commerce and distribution made cooperation with other states particularly important, given its extensive food supply links with other parts of Nigeria, including northern states.
The Commissioner said the review would provide an opportunity to assess progress, identify gaps, and develop concrete actions, while the validated SOP would help clarify institutional responsibilities and establish a more consistent approach to implementation and reporting.
Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the need to address weaknesses in food preservation, storage and logistics as part of efforts to improve food availability and ease pressure on food prices.
Olusanya said food security required more than increasing agricultural production, noting that losses after harvest and inefficiencies in transporting and storing food could undermine supply and affordability.
She called for better organisation of food markets, improved traceability, and stronger quality control to ensure that food reaching consumers is wholesome, affordable, and available.
Olusanya also emphasised the importance of technology, infrastructure, and human-capital development in building a more efficient food system.
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