On 26 November 2025, in Lagos, the MATAN Food Bank Professionals Association of Nigeria (MATAN) officially launched its Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative—known as AMESI/METS. Naija TODAY News reports that the national flag‑off ceremony three-day event, held at the National Institute of Sport inside the National Stadium, Surulere, gathered agricultural experts, community leaders, farmers from every state, and representatives of the Federal Capital Territory. The event showcased the comprehensive framework designed to overhaul food access and distribution across the nation.
The initiative positions itself as a “spiritual project,” according to MATAN’s National President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Amb. Dr. Olakunle Moses Johnson Speaking to attendees, he emphasized that strengthening food systems at the grassroots level is essential for sustainable national development. He explained that the programme equips communities with modern tools for production, real‑time tracking, and efficient logistics, thereby addressing hunger through locally driven solutions.
Amb. Dr. Olakunle Moses Johnson underscored the importance of tackling problems where they originate. “Most challenges in this country resolve themselves when food is plentiful,” he asserted, linking food scarcity to broader issues such as insecurity, insurgency, and banditry, which often thrive in environments of deprivation. By improving food availability, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect that curtails violence and promotes peace.
A cornerstone of AMESI/METS is its multipurpose digital identity card system, which promises greater transparency and accountability in food distribution. Households will receive digital food‑security cards linked to both Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identity Numbers (NIN). This integration ensures that beneficiaries are accurately identified and that resources reach the intended recipients without leakage.
The programme’s enumeration drive is ambitious: MATAN intends to register over 200 million Nigerians. The data collection process will systematically identify children, vulnerable groups, workers, and households, enabling targeted interventions that address specific needs. Community kinship teams will play a pivotal role, gathering information, managing local food banks, and operating street‑level feeding machines capable of dispensing both cooked and uncooked food.
To guarantee a steady food supply, MATAN has forged partnerships with large‑scale farmers. While farmers focus on production, MATAN assumes responsibility for storage, logistics, and nationwide distribution. The initiative also embraces land automation and community farming models, encouraging landlords and tenants to contribute parcels for mechanised cultivation, thereby expanding the agricultural footprint.
Amb. Dr. Olakunle Moses Johnson called upon federal, state, and local governments, alongside development commissions, to champion the full implementation of AMESI/METS. He stressed that hunger remains a primary driver of insecurity, and lasting peace cannot be achieved without guaranteeing universal food access. His appeal highlights the collaborative spirit required to translate vision into tangible outcomes.
Alhaji Abba Imam, Vice President for the North‑West Zone, elaborated on the bottom‑to‑top operational model, which ensures active community participation at every level. He outlined the initiative’s organogram, which includes a National Advisory Council, a dedicated Women in Agriculture segment, a National Executive Council, zonal and state executive councils, and community executive councils. This structured approach fosters inclusivity and local ownership.
Dr. Goni Faruk Umar remarked that the recent IMF warning of looming food scarcity catalyzed MATAN’s rapid response. In reaction, the association launched a grassroots farming scheme intended to mobilize Nigerian youth. Participants will receive access to farmlands, and their produce will be procured for subsidized community distribution, thereby creating a sustainable market for young agriculturists.
Former Gombe Deputy Governor and two‑term federal lawmaker, Senator Joshua Lidani, hailed the initiative as unprecedented. He urged stakeholders across Nigeria’s entire food value chain to collaborate closely with MATAN. Senator Lidani expressed confidence that within two years, the project will markedly enhance both food security and the broader agricultural economy, delivering measurable improvements for millions.
Dr. Olajide Bashorun, Chairman and CEO of Miss Farms Ltd and also head of MATAN’s Food Security and Sustainability Committee, reinforced the necessity of farmer collectivization. By uniting farmers, MATAN can supply essential inputs at competitive rates and purchase outputs at agreed farm‑gate prices, thereby stabilizing incomes and ensuring consistent food availability for communities nationwide.
Dr. Bashorun further highlighted the social ramifications of hunger, noting that it fuels poor health, antisocial behaviour, and diminished productivity. “By conquering hunger, we calm communities, improve productivity, and foster social harmony,” he stated, positioning food security as the foundation for unlocking human potential and societal progress.
The initiative’s registration portal will enable farmers to enrol formally, granting them access to critical resources, extension services, and market linkages. This digital ecosystem is expected to reduce inefficiencies, eliminate middlemen, and ultimately lower consumer prices while raising farmer profitability.
Community kinship teams, composed of trusted local volunteers, will act as the frontline implementers. Their responsibilities include data verification, monitoring distribution points, and operating feeding machines that can dispense nutritionally balanced meals, thus addressing both immediate hunger and long‑term nutritional needs.
Amb. Dr. Olakunle Moses Johnson reiterated the urgency of returning every community to farming, asserting that nationwide productivity is the antidote to hunger and insecurity. He projected that within one year, the initiative will demonstrate concrete results, visible through improved food supplies, job creation, and enhanced national security stemming from reduced resource‑driven conflicts.
The automated distribution system seeks to eliminate chaotic queues that traditionally characterize relief efforts. By leveraging digital identity and real‑time tracking, the programme ensures orderly, dignified access to food resources, thereby restoring confidence among beneficiaries and encouraging greater civic participation.
In his closing remarks, Amb. Dr. Olakunle Moses Johnson expressed gratitude to all partners, donors, and governmental bodies whose support has been instrumental in launching AMESI/METS. He called for sustained commitment, emphasizing that the initiative’s success hinges on collective action and shared responsibility across all sectors of society.
Alhaji Abba Imam echoed this sentiment, noting that the bottom‑up approach guarantees that solutions are locally relevant and culturally appropriate. By empowering communities to design and manage their own food‑security mechanisms, the programme cultivates resilience and self‑reliance.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar added that youth involvement is critical for long‑term sustainability. By equipping young people with land, training, and market access, the initiative not only addresses immediate food shortages but also builds a new generation of agricultural innovators and entrepreneurs.
Senator Lidani highlighted the importance of policy alignment, urging federal and state legislatures to integrate MATAN’s framework into broader agricultural and security strategies. Harmonized policies, he argued, will amplify impact and ensure that gains are institutionalized beyond project cycles.
Dr Bashorun concluded with a forward‑looking perspective, stating that MATAN envisions a Nigeria where every citizen has reliable access to nutritious food, where farmers thrive economically, and where communities are empowered to shape their own destinies. He affirmed that the initiative marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward food sovereignty.
The launch event concluded with a symbolic planting of crops by dignitaries, representing the collective commitment to nurturing growth, stability, and prosperity across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
As the programme progresses, regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will track key performance indicators, including food‑insecurity reduction rates, farmer income growth, and youth employment figures. Transparent reporting will ensure accountability and facilitate continuous improvement.
MATAN’s leadership remains steadfast in its resolve to tackle hunger from the grassroots upward, fostering a model that other nations and regions might adapt to address similar challenges. The initiative stands as a testament to what concerted effort, innovation, and community spirit can achieve when aligned toward a common humanitarian goal.
