Nigeria is at risk of a protein deficit as rapid population growth, climate change, and the soaring cost of conventional animal protein continue to strain the nation’s food system, experts have cautioned.
The warning was issued during a two-day national summit themed “Building Nigeria’s Sustainable Protein Future: Ecosystem Alignment and Next-Gen Food Innovation,” held at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council in Abuja.
Participants at the summit examined innovative strategies to guarantee a sustainable protein supply, focusing particularly on alternative and technology-driven solutions.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Prof.
Ibrahim Umar, said Nigeria’s estimated population of about 220 million—more than 60 per cent of whom are under 24—was placing enormous pressure on the country’s food system.
Represented by Prof.
Kalep Filli, Umar observed that the average daily protein intake of Nigerians falls significantly below the 64 grams recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation.
He added that the high cost of conventional animal protein remains a major barrier for most citizens.
He explained that the expensive nature of producing traditional protein sources such as poultry and beef, coupled with climate-related disruptions and insecurity in key food-producing rural areas, has widened the gap between supply and demand.
“While alternative protein has gained popularity in other parts of the world for its potential to address the aforementioned challenges, weak capacity for research and innovation is still largely limited in Nigeria and sub–Saharan Africa, despite its benefits in terms of food security, climate resilience, and economic opportunities”, he said.
According to him, failure to embrace innovative and affordable....
