The Federal Government has called for more focus on producing nourishing food to improve the health and well-being of Nigerians.
This call was made by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Isiak Salako, during the 3rd Faculty Lecture of Food and Consumer Sciences held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Tuesday.
Dr Salako expressed concern over the country’s food system, noting it falls short of meeting the nutritional and environmental needs of the population.
“The truth is stark that our current food system, encompassing production, processing, distribution, and consumption, is neither adequately nourishing our people nor sustaining our environment,” he said.
He stressed that agricultural development plays a vital role in national development and is closely tied to agrarian reform. He added that agriculture is not just about farming but about improving lives and national growth.
Salako referenced scholarly work linking agricultural progress with economic development in several countries, noting that Nigeria must tap into this potential to meet its development goals.
The event brought together university officials and faculty leaders, including the representative of the Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH, Professor Dahud Olurotimi Araromi; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Strategy and Development), Professor Tunde Ogunkunle; representative of the Bursar, Alhaja Khadijat Olawoore; and the University Librarian, Professor Sarah Adefunke Ebijuwa.
The Dean of the Faculty of Food and Consumer Sciences, Professor Emmanuel Adedapo Akande, was also in attendance as the institution hosted discussions around the link between food systems, agriculture, and national well-being.
