The Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF), University of Ibadan, is proud to be part of the LESS MALNUTRITION Project, a four-year, European Commission-funded initiative bringing together 18 partners from Africa and Europe to advance sustainable, equitable, and locally driven solutions to child malnutrition.

The project was officially launched in person from 20th–22nd October, 2026 in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, just days after World Food Day, reinforcing the urgent need for innovative approaches to food security, nutrition, and sustainable food systems.

PiLAF was represented at the project launch by Mr Iredele Ogunbayo and Dr Oreoluwa Akano, who joined other consortium members and representatives from partner institutions across Africa and Europe. A significant highlight of PiLAF’s participation was the nomination of Mr Iredele Ogunbayo to the Project’s General Assembly, the consortium’s highest decision-making body. This nomination further strengthens PiLAF’s involvement in the project’s strategic direction, governance, and collaborative decision-making.

Through the development and validation of locally produced, nutrient-rich Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods (RUSF), the project seeks to harness local ingredients, strengthen regional supply chains, and promote inclusive food production systems that improve nutrition outcomes for children across Africa. The initiative will also support the development of locally adapted, quality-assured nutritional products that meet relevant international standards.

As a consortium partner, PiLAF will contribute its expertise in agricultural and agrifood policy research, evidence generation, and stakeholder engagement to support the project’s objectives. Its participation also strengthens collaboration within the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI), fostering partnerships that connect research, policy, and practical solutions to Africa’s food and nutrition challenges.

The project brings together a diverse network of research institutions, regulatory agencies, development organisations, and private-sector partners. These include: Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), South Africa; Research Center for Inclusive Development in Africa (RIDA); Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA); Hilina Enriched Foods PLC; Reco Industries Limited; Programme PAC-CI, Côte d’Ivoire; PiLAF, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria; Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA); and Compact Food Solutions, South Africa. Ghent University (UGent), Belgium; SMART, University of Bordeaux, France; European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST); Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands; Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INSA), Portugal; and the University of Reading, United Kingdom.

Through this multidisciplinary partnership, the consortium will leverage complementary expertise across nutrition, food science, agricultural research, policy, regulation, industry, and food systems development to advance the project’s objectives.
At PiLAF, we believe that sustainable progress in food security and nutrition requires locally grounded evidence, effective partnerships, and policies that translate research into impact.

We are delighted to contribute to this important continental effort and look forward to working alongside our consortium partners to advance local solutions, stronger food systems, improved nutrition outcomes, and a healthier future for African children.
Together, we can build food systems that nourish Africa’s children and secure a healthier future for generations to come.