Hon Chike Okafor Led Committee on Nutrition and Food Security Visit World Health Organisation, Seeks Partnership and Collaboration
Hon Chike Okafor Phd, Chairman Of The House Of Representatives Committee On Nutrition And Foodsecurity Pays A Courtesy Visit To The World Health Organization (W.H.O) Office
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security The Rt Hon Chike Okafor PhD; today led a high-level delegation on an advocacy visit to the World Health Organization / United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Office,, Asokoro, Abuja.
He was accompanied by his colleague, Hon. Akin who is the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, alongside his Clerk, SLA and team of consultants.
The delegation was received by the WHO Country Representative, Dr Pavel Ursu and his team.
During the engagement, the Chairman outlined the structured milestones achieved by the Committee from 29th February 2024 till date.
- 29th February 2024 – Inauguration of the Committee.
- 2nd–4th May 2024 – Strategic Retreat to define priorities and legislative direction.
- 20th–22nd July 2024 – Inauguration of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security (NLNNFS).
- 8th–10th August 2025 – National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security held in Abuja.
- 12th November 2025 – Launch of a Capacity Development Plan developed with technical support from partners.
These milestones he emphasized, demonstrate a deliberate and sustained effort to institutionalize nutrition and food security within Nigeria’s Nutrition framework.
The delegation informed WHO that the Committee is currently developing a Training Curriculum and Manual for Legislators at National and State Levels on Nutrition and Food Security
The training tools are being co-designed in collaboration with the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies. The curriculum is designed to:
- Strengthen lawmakers’ technical understanding of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.
- Enhance legislative oversight and budget performance for nutrition programmes.
- Institutionalize structured legislative engagement in nutrition governance.
Upon finalization, the tools will be piloted in 12 States (two per geopolitical zone). The framework also includes a structured post-training mentorship plan to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.
The Chairman formally sought WHO’s support and collaboration towards achieving the above
Dr. Pavel Ursu In his remarks was highly receptive to the proposal and commended the proactive legislative leadership demonstrated by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutririon and FoodSecurity . He expressed WHO’s willingness and commitment to collaborate closely with the Committee to strengthen capacity development and advance nutrition and food security outcomes in Nigeria.
The visit reaffirmed a shared commitment to deepening partnership, strengthening multi-sectoral coordination, and sustaining momentum toward improved nutrition and food security across the country.