The MATAN Food Bank Professionals Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has unveiled the Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative to tackle hunger and improve food security nationwide.
The national flag-off ceremony brought together agricultural and community stakeholders to unveil the initiative’s framework aimed at transforming food access and distribution across Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the held at the National Institute of Sport, National Stadium Lagos, on Wednesday, drew farmers from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the event, MATAN Group National President and Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr Olakunle Johnson, described the initiative as a “spiritual project” aimed at strengthening food systems from the grassroots.
Johnson said the programme would provide sustainable solutions to hunger by equipping communities with modern tools for food production, tracking, and distribution.
He stressed that local problems must be addressed locally.
“Most problems in this country will solve themselves once food is available,” he said.
He expressed optimism that increased food availability would curb insecurity, noting that insurgency and banditry thrive where hunger and deprivation are rampant.
“The programme will use a multipurpose digital identity card system to enhance transparency and ensure efficient food distribution nationwide,” he said.
Johnson urged federal, state, and local governments to support the full implementation of the project.
He emphasised that hunger is a major driver of insecurity, and lasting peace is impossible without guaranteed food access for citizens.
He said the initiative uses digital identity, community enumeration, and automated distribution to eliminate food queues.
Johnson said households would receive digital food security cards linked to BVN and NIN.
Johnson stressed the need for nationwide productivity, urging every community to return to farming to end hunger and reduce insecurity.
He expressed confidence that the project would improve food supply, employment, and national security within one year.
He disclosed that MATAN would enumerate over 200 million Nigerians adding that the system would identify children, vulnerable groups, workers, and households for targeted food access.
The Vice President, North West Zone, Alhaji Abba Imam, said the initiative operates on a bottom-to-top model to ensure active community participation.
Dr Goni Umar, MATAN Board of Trustees member and a Director with Greenwich Merchant Bank Nigeria, said the IMF’s warning of looming food scarcity prompted the launch of the initiative to boost food security.
Umar said the youth would be mobilised, provided with farmlands, and their produce purchased for subsidised community distribution.
Former Gombe State Deputy Governor, Sen. Joshua Lidani, described the initiative as “unprecedented” and urged stakeholders across Nigeria’s food chain to collaborate with MATAN.
Lidani, a former two-term federal lawmaker, assured that the project would significantly improve food security and the agricultural economy within two years.
Also, Dr Olajide Bashorun, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Miss Farms Ltd., stressed the need to bring farmers together to strengthen Nigeria’s food security.
Bashorun, also Chairman of the Food Security and Sustainability Committee of MATAN Food Bank Foundation, said collective action was key to building a sustainable food production system.
He said, “By bringing farmers together, we can provide them with the necessary resources and support to increase productivity, improve income, and ensure a consistent supply of food for our communities.”
Bashorun, who highlighted the social impact of the initiative, said, “Hunger drives many societal challenges, from poor health to antisocial behaviour.
“By conquering hunger, we calm communities, improve productivity, and foster social harmony. Food is the key to unlocking human potential.”
He said that MATAN would register farmers through its portal, provide critical inputs at competitive prices, and buy produce at agreed farm-gate prices.
