As the world commemorates World Food Day 2025, the CEO and Team Lead of MedRoyal Food Hub, Princess Akran Medeyonmi Dada, has urged Nigeria to go beyond the conventional quest for food security and begin to build a sustainable and integrated food sovereignty system. Speaking in Lagos, Princess Akran stressed that the nation’s agricultural potential can only be truly harnessed when Nigerians collectively decide how they want their food to be produced, processed, and consumed.
According to her, “Food sovereignty is not merely about having enough to eat; it is about owning our food systems. From the soil that nurtures our crops to the cultural identity expressed in our meals. Considering the agricultural dynamics of our great country, Nigerians deserve more than the abundance of food. We must define and defend how exactly we want our food from the farm to the table.”
The 2025 World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” aligns with MedRoyal Food Hub’s long-standing commitment to promoting local agricultural value chains and traditional food systems that empower communities. Princess Akran noted that achieving this year’s goal requires political willingness and policy coherence across all levels of government to support smallholder farmers, local processors, and food entrepreneurs.
“Government at all levels must show genuine political will in harnessing our vast agricultural opportunities,” she said. “We cannot continue to rely on food importation when our local produce can feed the nation and sustain future generations. The time has come for us to prioritise homegrown policies that make farming profitable, food accessible, and nutrition culturally relevant.”
Expanding on the benefits of food sovereignty, Princess Akran explained that it promotes self-reliance, local economic development, and environmental sustainability. She added that when communities control their food systems, they preserve indigenous knowledge, encourage biodiversity, and reduce the carbon footprint associated with imported foods. “It’s also a matter of dignity and identity,” she said, “because what we eat tells the story of who we are and how we value our land and people.”
As part of MedRoyal’s advocacy, the CEO made a passionate case for “ẹwà agoin”, the traditional beans delicacy that remains a staple in many Nigerian households. “Ẹwà agoin is not just food; it is a heritage of resilience and nourishment,” she remarked. “It is high in protein, fibre, and essential minerals, yet deeply rooted in our culinary history. We need to make deliberate efforts to feature such meals more prominently in our daily menus, school feeding programmes, and public health campaigns.”
Princess Akran Medeyonmi Dada reaffirmed MedRoyal Food Hub’s commitment to working “hand in hand” with local farmers, food producers, and nutrition advocates to promote healthier and culturally grounded food systems. She called on Nigerians to take collective responsibility in shaping a food future that is inclusive, equitable, and proudly indigenous.
“When we achieve food sovereignty,” she concluded, “we do not only secure our plates, we secure our future.”
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