The National Council on Nutrition has adopted the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (NPFN) 2026–2035, marking a major step toward strengthening food security and addressing malnutrition across the country.

The council directed the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to forward the policy to the Federal Executive Council for final ratification following its approval at the council’s 15th meeting, chaired virtually by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The adoption follows extensive consultations and validation by stakeholders across Nigeria’s nutrition sector, including public and private partners. The policy is designed as a multi-sectoral framework to guide interventions on food security, human capital development, and nutrition outcomes over the next decade.

Speaking at the meeting, Shettima described the policy as the most consequential nutrition framework produced by the country, emphasizing that its success would be measured by tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, particularly women and children, across all 774 local government areas.

He stressed the need for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to align their policies, plans, and budgets with the provisions of the NPFN within 12 months, while directing states and the Federal Capital Territory to operationalise multisectoral nutrition action plans within six to nine months.

The council also approved a six-week extension for the submission of a draft National Nutrition Bill, mandating that it be transmitted to the National Assembly within eight weeks. The proposed legislation is expected to provide a legal framework for nutrition financing and define responsibilities across all tiers of government.

In a bid to strengthen funding, the council expanded the nutrition financing sub-committee to include key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Commissioners of Finance Forum, and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.

Additionally, the Vice President directed the establishment of a private sector-driven nutrition intervention window in collaboration with the Dangote Foundation and relevant government ministries, to be activated within 60 days.

To deepen sub-national ownership, the council tasked the Nigeria Governors’ Forum with setting up State Councils on Nutrition in the remaining states and the FCT within three months.