By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders in Abuja are pushing for the integration of food system literacy into school curricula to ensure a sustainable food supply and nutritious future for Nigerians.

The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja, at the School Garden Debate Competition and Stakeholders’ Roundtable.

The event was organised by the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) Task Team in Nigeria, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and Community Action for Food Security, among others.

Dr Sanjo Faniran, National Convenor of the UNFSS Task Team in Nigeria, emphasised the crucial role of youths in sustaining the food system, highlighting that nutrition and food security required a collaborative approach.

He advocated for incorporating food system literacy into education curricula, covering processes from planting to marketing.

According to him, it will enhance nutrition through sustainable food production and consumption practices

“It will ensure reliable access to nutritious food for present and future generations and mitigate environmental issues through sustainable agricultural practices

Dr Michael Ojo, Country Director of GAIN, commended the programme as a demonstration of stakeholders’ commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with knowledge on food systems, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition.

Ojo was represented by Mrs Funfun Akinduro, Head of Operations, GAIN.

Mr Azeez Salawu, Founder, Community Action for Food Security, said the programme aimed to enable students to understand agricultural practices through technology and create an interactive environment for students and stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Government Science Secondary School, Tungan Mage, secured first place in the school debate, followed by Government Secondary School, Bwari, and Government Secondary School, Kuje. (NAN)