NIFST, NiCFoST PARTNER MINISTRY OF INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO ADVANCE FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA. .....Minister Pledges Support for Food Science Regulation, Professional Development and Industrial Growth

 

The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Hon. Kingsley Udeh (SAN), has reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to leveraging Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to strengthen Nigeria's food security, improve public health and accelerate industrial development.

The Minister gave the assurance while receiving the President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Chief Ignatius C. Alaka, and the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST), Mrs. Veronica Nkechi Ezeh, alongside other members of their delegation, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

The meeting provided an avenue for discussions on strategic proposals aimed at strengthening Nigeria's food science and technology sector while exploring opportunities to harness its enormous potential for national development.

Key areas of discussion included food security, food safety, public health, industrialisation, employment generation and the deployment of scientific innovations to improve Nigeria's food production and processing ecosystem.

The Minister emphasised the importance of building stronger institutional partnerships that would translate scientific knowledge and technological advancement into practical solutions capable of addressing national development challenges.

A major issue raised by the delegation was the need for the inauguration of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST), in accordance with its enabling Act of 2019.

According to the delegation, the inauguration would facilitate the full operationalisation of the Council, strengthen professional regulation and create a more structured framework for the development of food science and technology practice in Nigeria.

The proposed development is expected to enhance professional standards, institutional coordination and regulatory oversight within the sector.

Responding to the proposals, Hon. Kingsley Udeh (SAN) assured the delegation that the Ministry would explore practical approaches to addressing the issues raised, taking into consideration available resources and the country's broader national development priorities.

He reiterated that food science and technology remain critical components of Nigeria's development agenda, noting that a stronger sector would contribute significantly to food safety, food security, local industrial growth, innovation and economic expansion.

The Minister further reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with relevant professional organisations, research institutions and stakeholders to ensure that Science, Technology and Innovation deliver measurable benefits to Nigerians.

The engagement underscores the importance of collaboration between government institutions and professional bodies in strengthening Nigeria's scientific and technological ecosystem.

As the country continues to explore sustainable pathways towards economic diversification, food security and industrial transformation, strengthening the food science and technology sector remains an important part of building a resilient economy driven by knowledge, innovation and professional expertise.

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