Food security is no longer just an agricultural concern but a matter of national security, economic stability and human dignity. This was the central message delivered by Ambassador Dr. Brylyne Chitsunge, keynote speaker at the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week in Kaduna.

Speaking at the Nigerian Public Relations Week, themed From Policy Paper to Public Plate, Chitsunge challenged policymakers, communicators and stakeholders to move beyond well written policies and focus on real impact that reaches citizens.

“Food security is a defining challenge of our time. It is no longer solely an agriculture concern. It is a matter of national security, economic stability and human dignity,” she said.

Chitsunge placed Nigeria’s situation within a broader African context, pointing to climate change, insecurity, rising food prices and supply chain inefficiencies as major pressures affecting food systems across the continent.

Despite these challenges, she maintained that Nigeria has the capacity to feed itself and more.

“Nigeria has immense potential, vast arable land, a youth population and strong policy frameworks. Yet the persistent challenge is not policy absence, but the gap between policy design and implementation,” she said.

According to her, this implementation gap is where public relations becomes critical. She argued that many policies fail not because they are weak, but because they are poorly communicated, lack public ownership and do not reach farmers and local communities.

“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,” she added.

Speaking from her experience as both a food security advocate and a farmer, Chitsunge highlighted practical challenges that illustrate the disconnect between policy and reality.

She recounted exporting livestock into Nigeria and encountering regulatory bottlenecks that slowed the process.

“When we needed import permits, I got requirements that reported diseases that do not exist in goats. I ended up helping to craft your import permit for livestock,” she said.

Her remarks underscored the need for better coordination and alignment in policy execution. She also called for knowledge exchange, urging Nigerian authorities to learn from successful agricultural models in other countries.

“Let the ministers of agriculture and livestock visit South Africa. When we come back, we can then see how best to help Nigeria,” she said.

Chitsunge also raised concerns about gaps in basic food systems, citing the lack of fresh milk as a sign of underdeveloped livestock production.

“Why can I not have fresh milk in Nigeria? Why do I have to use powdered milk when we can develop proper breeding programmes and bring in livestock?” she asked.

Beyond policy reform, she emphasised the importance of logistics and inter-state coordination.

“How does a farmer in Kaduna produce food and get it to Cross River without any problems? Policies are not aligned from state to state,” she noted.

To address these gaps, she proposed the creation of a technical advisory group to map Nigeria’s agricultural resources.

“Can we start by mapping Nigeria. How many farmers do we have? How many have access to land? How many have knowledge? Not everyone wants to farm, but everyone needs to be fed,” she said.

A strong advocate for inclusion, Chitsunge highlighted the role of women and young people in transforming agriculture. Drawing from her personal journey, she spoke about overcoming stereotypes in a male dominated field.

“It is a lonely journey that a farmer travels. As a woman, I have had to break down stereotypes to emerge as a serious contender,” she said.

She stressed that empowering women could significantly boost food production and food security outcomes.

Technology, she added, must also be embraced to modernise farming practices.

“On my farm, I use drone technology. I can tell when the rain is coming. We need drip irrigation, soil analysts and water specialists,” she said.

Calling for stronger collaboration, Chitsunge urged the Kaduna State Government and NIPR to leverage the platform of the event to drive tangible agricultural projects.

“Can we use this platform to move real projects that will change the story,” she said.

She also emphasised the need for structured farmer associations to improve access to information, resources and support systems.

In a symbolic reflection, she pointed to Nigeria’s agricultural heritage as depicted on its currency.

“Look at your 200 naira note. You will see groundnut pyramids and agricultural produce. That is the Nigeria we want to see again,” she said.

She called for renewed focus on agricultural value chains such as groundnuts, poultry and dairy, supported by coordinated systems and policy alignment.

Closing her address, Chitsunge returned to the theme of the conference, urging stakeholders to shift from conversations to execution.

“Enough about policies. They do not feed people. Implementation does. I am ready to serve as your ambassador for food security, but more importantly as a farmer ready to take care of your stomach,” she said.