Results from Global Food Security Index (GFSI) between 2012 when Nigeria ranked 80th and 2019 when it ranked 94th up until 2022 when Nigeria further declined to 107th show that there has been an alarming deterioration in Nigeria’s food security index. According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Nigeria ranked 109th out of the 125 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2023 GHI scores.

The problem of food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria is a societal menace with multi facet causes, with poverty and unemployment as major contributors. Hence, solving this problem involves a collaboration of all sectors of the economy, both public and private, to ensure equitable sufficient nutrition for the resilient populace in low-cost communities, since they are most affected by this problem.

In the absence of adequate support from the government and public sector, individuals and groups that make up the private sector often take up the mantle in response to addressing the problem of food insecurity and malnutrition. More often than not, non-profit or non-governmental organizations otherwise known as NGOs tend to be more responsive to dealing with persisting societal problems as a way of creating lasting social impact and improving living conditions for those directly affected.

A very good example of such NGOs is the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, a private-driven non-governmental organization committed to fighting food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms through targeted programs that seeks to improve the nutritional and health status of those living in low-income communities.

In its 8 years of service to humanity, the food bank has impacted at least one community in the 20 local government areas (LGAs) of Lagos State, and has extended its footprints beyond the borders of the state through viable partnerships with reputable NGOs in 7 other states of the nation, that also key into the vision of a hunger-free society for all.

The food bank does not only address food insecurity and malnutrition through strategic nutritional programs, they also run a number of sustainability programs to help registered beneficiaries achieve self-reliance and financial freedom, to ensure improved living standards.

In line with SDG 2; Zero Hunger, Lagos Food Bank Initiative’s mission and vision is to provide sufficient nutritious food items to those most in need of care and support, and to also create a network of food banks with the aim of addressing food insecurity and malnutrition plaguing the country. As the first food bank in Nigeria, they remain a front-line agency in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, with a mission to champion sustainable food security, nutrition, and empowerment, transforming communities and fostering equitable access to food resources throughout the nation.