FOOD LAW AS A TOOL FOR TACKLING MALNUTRITION AND FOOD INSECURITY IN THE NIGERIAN LEGAL REGIME

Abstract

FOOD LAW AS A TOOL FOR TACKLING MALNUTRITION AND FOOD INSECURITY IN THE NIGERIAN LEGAL REGIME

Food insecurity and malnutrition remain pressing challenges in Nigeria, worsened by the intersecting pressures of climate change, internal conflict, and economic volatility. While these issues are typically framed through the lens of agricultural or economic policy, this article adopts a doctrinal approach to examine law as a tool for tackling malnutrition and food security in Nigeria. This article asserts that legal framework constitutes a critical yet underutilized instrument for achieving sustainable development goals. Moving beyond conventional policy analysis, this article critically examines three key legal instruments, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act 2004, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. The research identifies significant regulatory deficiencies, most notably the non-justiciable status of the right to food and the complete absence of legally binding standards for agricultural transportation and post-harvest logistics. It finds that a rights-based legal system is required to meet the biological need of the population. It concludes with concrete recommendations, including a constitutional amendment to render the right to food justiciable and the enactment of a comprehensive National Food Safety and Quality Bill to foster a more accountable, transparent, and resilient food system.