(P19-001-24) Political Economy of Sharing and Using Multisectoral Food Systems Data in Nigeria

Objectives: Food systems vary across the 36 states of Nigeria, requiring data-driven, context-specific transformative actions. Modeled on the Global Dashboard, the Nigeria Subnational Food Systems Dashboard (NFSD) describes, diagnoses, and enables decisions for state-level food systems using multisector indicators. The NFSD requires that data be sourced, collated, curated, and analyzed. This study assessed data sharing, use, and needs among stakeholders, to support the design and effectiveness of the NFSD.

Methods: The study was conducted at federal level and in Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto States. Multisector food systems data stakeholders (organizations) were identified, and key informants (56 across the 3 states) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide with audio recording. Network mapping workshops were held at federal level and in each of the 3 states, with 6 to 13 informants at each workshop. Interview transcripts were coded, and emergent themes identified. Network mapping data were analyzed using Gephi 0.10.0. to determine network parameters.

Results: Interview findings were that data sharing was limited – data available to some informants were needs of others. Other challenges were outdated, inconsistent, and/or non-representative data; no data for some indicators; poor data quality leading to wrong decisions; inadequate data access; inadequate infrastructure/logistics, funding, and capacity of data collectors/users; cumbersome bureaucratic processes; and inadequate trust and collaboration among stakeholders. Findings were emphasized by the network mapping which identified low network density ( < 0.1) and fragmentation at federal and state levels. Some stakeholders with key food systems data mandates were not influential in the networks.

Conclusions: The NFSD can improve food systems governance and transformation by increasing stakeholder access to and use of credible data, thus facilitating successful decisions and programs. Yet, mere availability of the NFSD is not sufficient to address data challenges given the trust issues among stakeholders. Convening, linking, and coordinating stakeholders around indicators and data, and building data-use capacity, are imperative.

Funding Sources: USAID Advancing Nutrition and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grants to the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Abuja, Nigeria