By Stella Odueme
As Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges of food system and rising prices, ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with GIZ has organised a workshop to equip journalists with required knowledge to bring issues affecting the sector, especially on inclusivity to the limelight even as it canvassed increased funding to transform the sector thereby, improving inclusive resilient agricultural systems in Nigeria.
Declaring the two-day workshop tagged ” Media Workshop: “Strengthening the Role of the Media in Promoting Investments in Inclusive and Sustainable Food Systems” which held on May 7-8th open in Abuja, the Deputy Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Mohammad Dankabo who said that Nigeria is at a cross road with major challenges in the food systems, however maintained that in the challenges lie vast opportunities.
“Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroad.
Our food system is under growing stress. From climate change, economic shocks, conflicts, and
rising inequality. Yet, within these challenges lie powerful opportunities.
“Opportunities to build a more just, inclusive, and resilient agricultural system. But only if we act
boldly, collaboratively, and intentionally. This workshop, organized under the Inclusive Food
Systems Project, under the funding of GIZ, and implemented by ActionAid Nigeria, is part of our
broader commitment to ensure that Nigeria’s agricultural transformation is not only
sustainable, but also inclusive, especially for women, youth, and marginalized communities,
including persons living with disabilities,” she stated.
According to her, through this initiative: “we aim to empower local farmers, enabling them to actively participate
in decision-making and policy processes that impact their lives and their livelihoods.
“However,
achieving this objective is impossible without strong, informed, and strategic communication.
This is where you as media professionals become indispensable.
You are not merely reporters, you are agents of accountability, storytellers who amplify the
voices of farmers, highlight their struggles and triumphs, and raise public discourse.
“Your work
shares policies, mobilizes communities, and brings visibility to critical issues. Yes, agricultural
and climate reporting in Nigeria remains under-resourced and under-represented in
mainstream media.
Yet, this workshop is designed to address this gap. Over the next two days, you will be met with
the skills, tools, and practical insights, including knowledge needed to report effectively on
agricultural, climate change, and inclusive decisions. You will engage with experts, participate
in hands-on exercises, and master storytelling techniques that go beyond the surface.
“More importantly, you will join a growing network of journalists committed to covering
agriculture, not just as an economic sector, but as a justice issue, one that impacts equity,
nutrition, livelihoods, and the dignity of millions, especially those who are engaged in the
production of food and the effect of food. We believe that a truly inclusive food system is one in
which no other farmers, women farmers, youth, including persons with disabilities, and the
most vulnerable, not only have voice, but also a stake. It’s about who grows our food, who
benefits from the system, and who gets left behind.
It is about ensuring that no one is excluded from the table, whether in policy rooms or in the
pages of our newspapers.
“This workshop also comes at a critical moment. Nigeria is advancing
its national agricultural investment plan, aligning with continental frameworks like the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program and the role of media in tracking
progress highlighting gaps and amplifying the voices of local communities is very, very critical.
“I encourage you to engage actively in these sessions, ask challenging questions, build
connections, challenge existing narratives, and most importantly, reflect on how each story you
tell can spark meaningful action and change, especially in the interest of women, youth, and
persons with disabilities.
“Together, let us imagine a food system that works for everyone, not
just the powerful, but the poor, the rural, the women, and the youth. Let us transform not only
how we eat, but how we grow, invest, and report.”
In her Special Remarks, Precious Jacdonmi of GIZ, commended ActionAid Nigeria for the wonderful work it has been doing in the country.
In the highly interactive sessions, the resourced persons, spoke on various topics, targeted at promoting inclusivity in Nigeria’s agricultural systems.
ActionAid Nigeria’s Food & Agriculture Program Advisor, Blessing Akhile gave an overview of ‘ActionAid Nigeria Food and Agriculture Work: What We Do’. She advocated for write-ups to transform agriculture as well as scale up things for agricultural development via creating enabling food environment among others.
Also, Azubike Nwokoye of ActionAid Nigeria presented papers on; “Understanding Inclusive Food System: What Makes Food System Inclusive? Power Dynamics in Food Production, Distribution and Consumption” as well as “Food System and Policy: National and International Food Policies (eg CAADP, UNFSS, FAO Frameworks) Tracking Budget Allocation and Policy Implementation, Holding Government Accountable.”
He recalled that the first decade of CAADP (2003-2013) presented both opportunities and challenges.
He maintained that on the National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs), four regional plans were finalized, and 28
malnutrition, tripling intra-African trade, and building the resilience of livelihoods and
agricultural BRs and recognized the critical role of infrastructure and rural development in
renewed commitment to CAADP as it sets ambitious goals for 2025, including increasing
livestock, forestry, and fisheries while acknowledging the importance of related sectors.
“However, the policies, programmes and projects implemented over the years have not
substantially reduced the major constraints to agriculture. The sector still grapples with markets; widespread insecurity of agricultural land and investments; institutional
research; innovation and extension; low-quality inputs, limited access to finance and
numerous challenges including limited awareness and adoption of productivity enhancing
technology; low agricultural productivity and value addition mainly due to inadequate
bottlenecks and weak policy implementation that lead to considerable food imports as
well as outbreaks of animal diseases.”
Mrs. Ebere Agozie who spoke on “Gender & Food Systems: Women’s Roles and Barriers, Gender Sensitive Reporting” urged journalists to use gender lens in all agricultural and climate change reporting, prioritizing interviews with women farmers to showcase their innovation and resilience.
Seasoned journalist, Mojeed Alabi presented papers on “Bridging Collaboration Barriers Between Agricultural Researchers and Journalists For Food Sustainability” as well as on media sensationalization of reports.
He advocated a meeting point between researchers and journalists to truly report findings to advance inclusivity in agricultural systems to the benefit of society.
ActionAid Nigeria Director&Head of Programmes, Okuwakemi Akinremi-Segun spoke on ‘Media Framing & Language” highlighting the sector’s evolving terminology. For instance, she hinted that words like beneficiaries and empowerment among others are derogatory as ActionAid Nigeria sees whoever they work with as partners.
She spoke through Rolake Ogunfeitimi.
Cynthia Anaele presented a paper on “Telling the Sustainable Agriculture Story in the Digital Age”
In her Closing Remarks, Akhile said ActionAid Nigeria values the media partnership.
“It’s about the partnership, and we truly value this partnership. We are partners in development,
and we need you to change Nigeria. Just the way the community, the persons we serve, need
you as well.
Because when you help us amplify the stories, bring out information, raise awareness, then the
changes we desire will come.,” she stressed.
