The Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) recently convened a strategic dialogue with leading Media Houses and Agricultural Journalists in Abuja to introduce the Unit’s mandate and explore ways to strengthen agricultural reporting in Nigeria.
The engagement highlighted the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse, raising policy awareness, and driving accountability in the nation’s quest for food security.
Marion Moon, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Coordinator of the PFSCU, emphasised the Unit’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s food systems through evidence-based strategies.
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Moon stated, “While our perspectives may differ, we are united by one undeniable truth: Nigeria must achieve food security and the media is our indispensable partner in communicating this national imperative.”
Media representatives identified challenges which included a lack of access to accurate agricultural data, poor support from the Government, insecurity, selective advertorial opportunities for the media, saying the media is a business and not a not-for-profit and a lack of inclusion in accessing critical data.
They unanimously called for a centralised data platform to support quality reporting and more inclusion in Government activities.
BusinessDay reports that the dialogue yielded proposals to elevate agricultural journalism, including regular training programmes for journalists, improved access to Government agricultural initiatives, and the formation of a joint PFSCU-media working group.
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PFSCU committed to institutionalising the partnerships, recognising the media as a critical ally in achieving the administration’s food security and agricultural transformation goals.
PFSCU aims to accelerate the implementation of priority initiatives that deliver tangible results in food security, agricultural industrialisation, and sustainable economic growth.
