NASS: MATAN Automated Food Security Initiative Can Address 90% of Nigeria’s Food Crisis — Experts

 



The House of Representatives has pledged full legislative support for the Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative (AMFSI), a new programme developed by the MATAN Food Bank Professionals Association of Nigeria, saying it has the potential to tackle 90 percent of the country’s food crisis.

Speaking at the close of MATAN’s three-day national programme in Lagos on Friday, Hon. Haruna Gowon, Member representing Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency, said the National Assembly considers food security a top national priority and will back the initiative at all levels.

“Food security remains more important than any other security,” Gowon said, stressing that improved access to food would boost national productivity, reduce health risks, stabilise the economy and curb insecurity.
“When food security is available, the value of the naira will increase and the dollar will naturally drop. A hungry man is an angry man. Food security will increase our security,” he added.

Gowon noted that the AMFSI aligns with the legislature’s commitment to supporting community-based solutions and assured that “NASS is behind you with all necessary legislation.”

Delivering the remarks of the Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. J.K. Kachikwu, Senior Consultant Chrisland Onyemechara said the MATAN model integrates the key pillars of food security — environment, partnership, advocacy and innovation.

“If properly harnessed, these coordinated efforts can address nearly 90 percent of Nigeria’s food security challenges,” he said.
He emphasised that effective governance, strong institutions and bottom-up implementation would determine the initiative’s success across all 774 local government areas.

Earlier, MATAN National President, Ambassador Olakunle Johnson, said the AMFSI aims to provide direct food access to over 40 million Nigerians through a digitalised national food bank system.

He explained that the initiative is built around a Virtual Digital Identity (VDI) platform designed to eliminate bottlenecks in existing food support programmes by digitally capturing individuals and linking them to community food banks and kitchens.

“For decades, we have heard promises about food security, but nobody built a structure around the people. That is what we are doing,” Johnson said.
“We have the platform ready; we have tested it. We have presented it to the relevant authorities, including the Office of the President.”



According to him, local and international investors have already shown interest in supporting the rollout, while government at all levels will play supervisory and enabling roles.

South East General Secretary, Chief Charles Igwenagu, said the initiative is “about bringing life to the nation,” while Group National Secretary, Dr. Felix Osakwe, noted that it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda.

Osakwe urged Nigerians to support the programme, saying collaboration is essential to overcoming the country’s hunger and malnutrition challenges.

MATAN described the launch as the second phase of its broader food security vision, following earlier advocacy and policy engagements, and expressed optimism that the AMFSI could become a model for community-driven food systems across Africa.

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