By Emmanuel Enebeli
KADUNA/Nigeria: A Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security, H.E. Amb. Dr. Bryiyne Chitsunge, has challenged Nigeria to urgently close the gap between agricultural policy formulation and real food production outcomes, identifying strategic communication and public relations as the critical missing link in translating policies into tangible benefits for citizens.
Delivering the keynote address at the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Week 2026 in Kaduna on Tuesday, Chitsunge, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Elpasso Farms, South Africa, spoke on the theme, “Food Security: From Policy Papers to Public Plates —The Imperative of Public Relations,” before an audience that included ministers, traditional rulers, and senior government officials.
She declared that food security has transcended agriculture to become a core issue of national security, economic stability, and human dignity across Africa, warning that Nigeria’s persistent food challenges are not due to lack of policies but weak implementation frameworks and poor stakeholder communication.
“Food security is no longer solely an agricultural concern. It is about national security and human dignity. Nigeria has immense potential, yet the challenge is not policy absence but the gap between policy design and implementation. That is where public relations becomes indispensable,” she stated.
Drawing from her experience across more than 55 African countries under the African Union legislative framework, the ambassador noted that many well-designed agricultural policies fail at the grassroots because they are not effectively communicated to farmers and rural communities, thereby undermining ownership, trust, and participation.
She called for the establishment of a coordinated national structure that integrates key sectors such as agriculture, environment, and information, stressing that fragmentation in policy execution continues to impede progress in Nigeria’s food systems.
Speaking from practical experience as a commercial farmer, Chitsunge highlighted systemic challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, including inconsistencies in import regulations, inadequate storage infrastructure, and poor alignment between federal and state policies.
Recounting her experience exporting livestock to Nigeria, she disclosed that bureaucratic bottlenecks, particularly around import permits and disease control documentation, remain major obstacles, even for stakeholders involved in shaping aspects of the regulatory framework.
“I have seen that Nigeria has more than enough capacity — from storage facilities to livestock potential — to feed itself and even export. But there are disconnects that must be addressed,” she said.
She also lamented the decline of Nigeria’s once-thriving agricultural legacy, referencing the historic groundnut pyramids symbolised on the N200 note, and questioned the country’s inability to revive such productive systems at scale.
“This is the Nigeria we want to see again — a country of groundnut pyramids, thriving livestock systems, and strong farmer associations. The question is: why are we not rebuilding this?” she queried.
The ambassador advocated the creation of strong, farmer-focused institutions to improve access to information, land, and modern agricultural techniques, while urging deeper collaboration between government and private sector players to unlock value across the agricultural chain.
On innovation, she encouraged Nigeria to embrace technology-driven agriculture, including artificial intelligence, soil analysis, and precision farming systems, noting that modern food production requires data-backed decision-making and efficient resource management.
She further underscored the importance of inclusive policies that empower women and youth, describing them as pivotal to the future of agriculture on the continent.
“As a woman farmer, I had to overcome structural barriers to be taken seriously. If we empower women and youth correctly, they can transform agriculture across this continent,” she said.
Chitsunge proposed stronger bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa, inviting Nigerian agricultural stakeholders to understudy successful farming models for local adaptation.
In a direct appeal to the Kaduna State Government and the NIPR leadership, she urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and leverage the platform to drive actionable food security initiatives.
“Policies alone do not feed people. What feeds people is implementation — and implementation is powered by communication, trust, and collaboration. Public relations is the bridge. Let us strengthen that bridge,” she emphasised.
She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting Nigeria’s food security agenda, both in her capacity as an ambassador and as a practicing farmer.
“I am ready to serve — not just as an ambassador, but as a farmer. Let us build Nigeria’s food security together,” she pledged.
The NIPR Week 2026 continues in Kaduna, bringing together stakeholders across sectors to explore strategies for strengthening communication frameworks and advancing national development outcomes.
