By Eunice Orike
Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) Abdullahi Mustapha has called for stronger collaboration among researchers, farmers, food processors and the government institutions to address Nigeria’s food security challenges.
Mustapha made the call during the agency’s commemoration of World Food Day 2026, themed “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”
He said that innovation and cooperation were necessary to improve food production; reduce waste and ensure Nigerians have access to safe and nutritious food.
The NBRDA director-general identified climate change, crop pests and diseases, high production costs, inadequate storage and processing facilities, and post-harvest losses as major challenges affecting food security in the country.
He also noted that limited access to nutritious diets remained a concern, stressing the need for practical solutions that would improve agricultural productivity and food availability.
Mustapha said biotechnology could help address some of the challenges through research and the development of improved agricultural practices and food processing methods.
He explained that the agency is working to promote biotechnology research that supports agricultural production and the conversion of biological resources into useful products.
According to him, NBRDA’s agricultural biotechnology activities include tissue culture and research into biotechnology-derived crops, which form part of efforts to improve productivity.
He added that the agency’s Food and Industrial Biotechnology Department was exploring improved methods of food processing, preservation and value addition, as well as ways to make better use of biological resources.
Mustapha stressed that scientific research must translate into practical benefits for farmers, food processors, entrepreneurs and consumers.
He said the adoption of improved technologies and processing methods could help reduce food losses, maintain food quality and create opportunities for businesses to develop useful products from research findings.
As part of the World Food Day commemoration, the agency organised activities to raise awareness about food safety, nutrition and proper food handling.
The activities included sensitisation programmes in schools on food safety, healthy eating and nutrition, as well as visits to abattoirs to engage stakeholders on hygiene, meat handling and waste management.
The agency also held panel discussions on food innovation, processing, preservation, safety, nutrition and ways to reduce food loss and waste.
The commemoration highlighted the need for sustained investment in research and stronger partnerships among stakeholders to improve food production, minimise waste and build a more sustainable food system in Nigeria.
