The Federal Government has reported that over four million children in the Northeast and Northwest regions of Nigeria are currently malnourished. This alarming statistic was shared by Ladidi Bako-Aiyebusi, Director of the Nutrition Department in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, during a five-day meeting with nutrition experts and stakeholders in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The meeting, which began on August 21, 2024, and will conclude on August 25, 2024, is being held in collaboration with Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and other nutrition partners. It aims to develop strategic advocacy policies to address nutrition issues in Nigeria.
Bako-Aiyebusi highlighted that Nigeria is facing a severe triple burden of malnutrition, including widespread macro and micronutrient deficiencies, undernutrition, and overnutrition, which significantly impact health and socio-economic development. She attributed the high rates of malnutrition to factors such as inadequate food access, poor consumption practices, and socio-economic and political issues.
The meeting seeks to formulate a strategic document on effective nutrition advocacy, considering Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) and other components across the life cycle. It is believed that this strategic approach will enhance collaboration, integration, and capacity strengthening in the health sector.
Kunle Ishola, Programme Officer for CS-SUNN, emphasized the importance of creating a clear path for nutrition advocacy to drive effective change. William Anyebe and Prof. Salisu Abubakar also underscored the need for a guiding document to improve nutrition advocacy efforts and tackle both undernutrition in rural areas and overnutrition in urban settings.