By Anule Emmanuel
On the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York, United States of America, leaders gathered for the Africa Food Security Investment Summit, where they discussed pertinent issues to tackling food insecurity across the continent.
The summit, organized by the Alliance for Food Security Action in Africa, focused on innovative strategies and investment opportunities that can assist in combating hunger.
The summit had the theme: “Addressing Food Security in Africa: Strategies for Innovation and Investments” and served as a crucial platform for collaboration among stakeholders to transform Africa’s agricultural landscape and ensure food security for future generations.
Chairman of the Alliance, Paul Abolo, emphasized the summit’s goal: “The essence of this summit is to raise awareness about the funding and technology support available for addressing food security challenges in Africa.”
He highlighted significant commitments made at COP 28, including a $7.1 billion pledge for climate action and an additional $40 billion from various groups aimed at enhancing food security.
Abolo pointed out that Nigeria faces a critical hunger problem, stating, “Hunger is not just a Nigerian issue; it’s a global challenge. Nigerians have not fully engaged with available global solutions.”
He called for increased capacity building and awareness to develop bankable proposals that can access these vital funds.
In her remarks, the Director General of Education and School Reforms in Niger State, Hajia Menuna Mohammed, underscored the critical importance of the Africa Food Security Investment Summit for addressing food security challenges not just in Nigeria but across the continent. Speaking at the event, she stated,
“This programme is about food security, which the whole of Africa and the world is grappling with right now. The key aspect is the networking and community coming together to think of solutions.”
Mohammed praised the proactive approach of Niger State’s governor, who has encouraged agricultural initiatives by offering hectares of land for farming. “His passion for farming has inspired many to consider agriculture as a viable option,” she noted.
Addressing the root causes of educational challenges, Mohammed linked food insecurity to the high number of out-of-school children and the almajiri phenomenon. “Many families struggle to feed their children, leading to increased insurgency and displacement,” she explained.
She advocated for developing school farms to teach students sustainable farming practices, stating, “If we can develop our school farms, we can help students learn to feed themselves.”
Highlighting the state’s potential for growth, she remarked, “Niger is experiencing an influx of people because there is hope and opportunity here. Anyone passionate about farming is welcome to invest in Niger State.”
Commissioner for the City of Newark, New Jersey, Olamide Talabi, emphasized the urgent need to address food insecurity in Nigeria and across Africa during the Africa Food Security Investment Summit.
“This summit is about the insecurity of food in Nigeria, especially in Africa. We are seeking collaborations and partnerships with nonprofit organizations to provide grants to farmers and market women, making food more accessible to everyday Nigerians,” Talabi stated.
When asked about existing partnerships, Talabi revealed, “We have several organizations ready to partner with us. This is just the beginning; we plan to hold smaller meetings to finalize these collaborations.”
The Commissioner highlighted the types of grants being sought, including support for fertilizers and transportation logistics.
“We want to make the food process easier. When it’s easier, it becomes cheaper for everyone,” she explained.
Talabi noted that even staple foods like Garri have become unaffordable for many families, saying, “Garri, once known as the poor man’s food, is now a luxury.”
Addressing funding needs, she mentioned that billions of Naira are required to support farmers across Nigeria.
“We’re encouraging people to have their own farms at home,” he added, echoing sentiments from other speakers at the summit about grassroots agricultural initiatives.
Talabi concluded with optimism about the future: “By the end of this summit, we expect to secure meaningful partnerships that will significantly impact food security in Nigeria.”
Co-founder of the Climate Solutions Advancement Network (ClimateSAN), Paul Stevers, during his presentation at the summit, addressed the critical need for investment in climate solutions.
He stated, “There’s a huge amount of interest and concern about food security, and we want to expand our methodology to include climate finance, tapping into substantial funding for renewable energy and clean cooking initiatives.”
Stevers outlined the challenges faced by Nigerian organizations in accessing loans and grants from donor agencies.
“We aim to help those who have already accomplished something by developing professional quality proposals that can be submitted to various funders,” he explained.
This, he said includes building connections with potential funders to ensure proposals are considered.
He noted the importance of tailoring proposals to meet funders’ specific interests, noting, “Some funders focus on women or disabled communities, so understanding their priorities is crucial.”
Moreover, Stevers highlighted the World Bank’s significant funding opportunities, stating, “While smaller organizations can access $7 billion committed for food security, the World Bank has pledged $45 billion. We want to assist both small organizations and sub-national entities in accessing these funds.”
