Comfort Onyaga, a Master of Food Security student at Murdoch University, has received a prestigious Australia Awards On-Award Enrichment Grant to address Nigeria’s deepening food security crisis.
This grant, funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), will support Onyaga’s Reintegration Action Plan (RAP) aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s urban food systems amid mounting challenges.
The food supply chain in Nigeria has been under severe stress due to climate change, rural insecurity, and rapid urbanisation. This disruption, combined with soaring food costs, acute hunger, and rural-to-urban migration, has made addressing food security a pressing concern. In response to this, Onyaga’s project targets the heart of the issue: strengthening indigenous food systems in urban communities.
Onyaga’s work takes on increased significance in light of the recent State of Emergency on Food Security declared by President Bola Tinubu. With the nation’s food supply chain in crisis, Onyaga’s initiative aims to promote sustainability through the application of circular economy practices such as composting and urban farming. This focus on sustainability not only addresses immediate food security needs but also promotes long-term environmental health by reducing food waste and enhancing food production systems within cities.The project will be rolled out across three Nigerian states—Ibadan (Oyo State), Gombe (Gombe State), and Owerri (Imo State). In these regions, Onyaga’s initiative will empower young people with the skills necessary for sustainable urban farming.
Participants will learn hands-on techniques in composting, food waste reduction, indigenous food preservation, and container gardening. A unique aspect of the project is its emphasis on language accessibility—creating knowledge resources in local languages to ensure broad community engagement and participation.
The RAP project builds on Onyaga’s previous work, particularly the Grow Your Food & Thrive initiative, which she spearheaded at Murdoch University. This student-led project, funded by Murdoch’s Students as Change Agents grant, introduced university students to container gardening, food upcycling, and composting, all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her work not only combats food insecurity but also fosters responsible consumption and production, contributing to Zero Hunger and Good Health and Wellbeing.
Onyaga’s broader vision is to create a self-sustaining Community of Practice (CoP) that will persist long after the initial pilot phase. In collaboration with local Nigerian organisations—Comfort Literacy Intervention & Capacity Enhancement (CLICE) Foundation, Clean Build Climate Action Innovation, Do Grassroots Forum, and Citizens Empowerment Foundation—Onyaga plans to cultivate knowledge-sharing and grassroots innovation to ensure lasting impact. The initiative’s goal is to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills necessary to continue transforming Nigeria’s urban food systems and preserve indigenous food traditions despite the pressures of climate change and rural insecurity.
“The challenges facing sustainable food systems demand urgent action. Our work is about more than just food security; it is about ensuring that food sovereignty is preserved for generations to come,” Onyaga stated. The project also serves as a bridge for deepening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Australia, as both nations focus on climate resilience and food waste reduction.
Onyaga’s initiative reflects a powerful commitment to fostering community-driven solutions to food security, positioning her as a leader in the next generation of global change-makers. With her efforts poised to make a lasting impact in Nigeria’s urban food systems, Onyaga exemplifies the power of international collaboration in solving critical global issues like food insecurity and climate change. As her work grows, it promises to reshape food systems in Nigeria—and potentially across Africa—helping to create more sustainable, resilient communities.
Also Read : Kerala Court Enforces Toll Rules at Paliyekkara Plaza
Onyaga Wins Grant for Urban Food Systems in Nigeria
