Journalists have been urged to intensify advocacy and public awareness on nutrition and food systems to tackle malnutrition and promote healthier eating habits among Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations.
This call was made on Wednesday at a two-day training workshop on Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy organized by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Capacity of Media Professionals for Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy,” aimed to equip journalists with tools to effectively cover food and nutrition policy issues.
Victor Ekeleme, Senior Associate, Communications at GAIN Nigeria, underscored the media’s crucial role in shaping public discourse and strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition ecosystem through responsible, evidence-based reporting.
“The media plays a powerful role in shaping how people think, talk, and act about food and nutrition. This training empowers storytellers to drive a healthier food system,” he said.
Ekeleme urged media professionals to use their platforms to educate the public on nutritious diets, combat malnutrition, and promote behaviors that support a stronger and healthier food system nationwide.
He reiterated GAIN’s commitment to ensuring Nigerians not only have access to food but also benefit from nutritious options that improve public health, particularly in underserved and food-insecure communities.
Dr. Olapeju Phorbee, food systems consultant and CEO of the Food Agricultural Nutrition Network (FANN), called on journalists to increase awareness about the benefits of nutrition for public health improvement.
“Since the public trusts the media, journalists should report more on nutrition, build knowledge in nutrition education, and help promote healthier behaviors within the food system,” she said.
She encouraged Nigerians to prioritize safe, healthy, and diverse diets, noting that “food should be regarded as medicine.”
Speaking on food systems and nutrition-sensitive interventions, Sumit Karn, Public Health Nutritionist with UNICEF, urged journalists to dig deeper into the root causes of Nigeria’s nutrition challenges rather than stopping at headlines.
Damilola Ojetunde, Data Journalist with the BBC, advised participants to use verifiable data in nutrition reporting and to tell compelling, solutions-driven stories that could engage policymakers and inspire meaningful action.
“Data reveals hidden patterns, inequalities, and the impact of policies. Journalists must use it to tell impactful stories that can shape national development,” Ojetunde said.
Another resource person, Habibat Lawal, urged journalists to always fact-check their reports and ensure accuracy to counter misinformation and disinformation surrounding nutrition and food security issues.
Chibuike Alagboso of Nigeria Health Watch also encouraged reporters to pursue credible, evidence-based stories, analyze successful models, and identify gaps that could inform better policy and social outcomes.
Some participants said the training deepened their understanding of nutrition and food systems and would help them report more effectively on programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food and health sectors.
