Introduction Food security and Agri-transformation remain at the forefront of global sustainability and humanitarian development. Hunger, poverty, and malnourishment remain an issue, particularly in less-developed countries, where food economies are at the centre of livelihoods. Policy, ethics, and governance are central to driving agricultural output, food delivery mechanisms, and equitable access. According to FAO (2022), solid policy platforms and effective governance mechanisms are central to supporting sustainable food systems. Furthermore, ethical considerations regarding resource use, environmental stewardship, and social justice increasingly form the nucleus of modern-day agricultural discourse. Governance gaps, weak policy enforcement, and ethical issues continue, nonetheless, to constrain progress toward long-term food security. Methodology This study explored the role of the frameworks of governance, policy, and ethics in enhancing food security and agricultural change in Nigeria. A qualitative approach was employed with a combination of document analysis, expert interviews, and thematic analysis of government reports, international policy reports, and peer-reviewed papers. Data were analyzed thematically to uncover patterns, challenges, and strategic interventions of governance and policy impacts on food systems. Results and discussion Findings showed that countries with participatory and inclusive governing institutions had more resilient food systems and better agricultural productivity. Policy coherence between national development plans and food system goals was found to be central to leading change towards sustainability. Ethical issues such as land rights, access to inputs, and gender disparities were prevalent in poorly governed regions, tending to exacerbate food insecurity. These findings agreed with De Schutter (2019) and IFPRI (2021), who emphasized that accountability, transparency, and participatory policy-making are essential in achieving food system transformation. Conclusion The study found that enhancing governance, harmonizing policy frameworks, and embedding ethical standards in agricultural processes are the pillar to ensuring sustained food security and sustainability. Policy makers must accord priority to coordinated approaches that incorporate smallholder farmers, local populations, and poor people. Subsequent research must explore the interaction between digital governance tools and ethical AI in agriculture to further accelerate transparency and impact. Keywords: Governance, Policy, Ethics, Food Security, Agriculture and Sustainability.
Ademola Emmanuel Akinyele, Oderinde Abiodun Abel, Ezekiel Evelyn Ilamosi