The Nigerian Society for Nutrition (NSN) joined the global nutrition community at the 23rd International Congress of Nutrition (IUNS-ICN 2025), held from 24–29 August 2025 at the Palais des Congrès, Paris, France.
The congress, was organized by the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) in collaboration with leading European partners, brought together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners under the theme “Sustainable Food for Global Health.” The event featured plenary lectures, symposia, and scientific discussions across eight thematic tracks, ranging from precision nutrition to climate change and sustainability.
The NSN President, alongside the Vice President (South) and other executives, actively participated in the congress. They engaged in high-level discussions, panel sessions, and scientific presentations, strengthening Nigeria’s visibility in the global nutrition landscape.
One of the key sessions where NSN executives contributed focused on maternal and child health, a priority area for Nigeria. The presentation highlighted partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the European Union, the UK International Development Office, and the U.S. Government, all of which are working with Nigeria to improve child nutrition outcomes.
A central theme that resonated throughout the congress was that food must never be used as a weapon. Speakers emphasized that access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food is a fundamental human right, and in times of conflict, climate crisis, or political instability, food should not be withheld, manipulated, or restricted as a tool of control. Instead, food security must be safeguarded as a pathway to peace, resilience, and health equity.
This powerful message aligns with NSN’s mission to advocate for nutrition as a driver of national development, ensuring that all Nigerians, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children have access to adequate nutrition irrespective of socioeconomic or political challenges.
A highlight of the congress for Nigeria was the election of Prof Ngozi Nnam as a newly elected Council Member of IUNS. This prestigious recognition reflects her outstanding contributions to nutrition science and reaffirms Nigeria’s role in shaping global nutrition policy and research. The Nigerian Society for Nutrition congratulates Prof. Nnam on this well-deserved achievement and celebrates the collective impact of its executives at ICN 2025. Their participation underscores NSN’s commitment to advancing nutrition research, policy, and practice both locally and internationally.
Through platforms such as IUNS-ICN, NSN continues to ensure that Nigeria’s voice is heard in global nutrition debates, while building strategic partnerships to address pressing challenges such as food insecurity, malnutrition, and sustainable health systems.
