The alarming statistics released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicate that Nigeria holds a disheartening position as the leader in Africa and the second globally concerning malnourished children. During a recent collaborative meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and state nutrition managers, UNICEF’s Chief of Nutrition, Nemat Hajeebhoy, highlighted the critical issue of child malnutrition in Nigeria. With an estimated 35 to 45 million children under five years old in Nigeria, Hajeebhoy outlined different forms of malnutrition affecting this population. She noted that around 12 million children are stunted, indicating inadequate growth for their age, while about nine million are wasted, meaning they are underweight for their height. Additionally, around 24 to 25 million children are suffering from anemia due to insufficient iron intake. Hajeebhoy emphasized that addressing these challenges in Nigeria will have a positive ripple effect across West Africa and the broader African continent.
Despite the concerning malnutrition rates, there have been positive developments in child nutrition initiatives. Hajeebhoy announced that a significant achievement was made during recent maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) weeks held across all Nigerian states, during which 43 million children received vitamin A supplements—an unprecedented figure for the country. The campaigns also included the distribution of deworming tablets, which reached 19 million children, and iron, folic acid, or multiple micronutrient supplements provided to over two million pregnant women. Hajeebhoy expressed hope that ongoing support from families and communities could replicate this success in the upcoming MNCH week planned for mid-November to mid-December. Achieving similar results during this period would signify substantial progress not only for Nigeria but also for the regional and global fight against child malnutrition.
The Nigerian government’s commitment to addressing malnutrition was echoed by the Director and Head of the Nutrition Department in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi. She acknowledged the significant burden Nigeria carries as the country with the highest malnutrition rates in Africa and the second highest in the world, but expressed optimism regarding the collaborative efforts in place to improve the situation. Bako-Aiyegbusi stressed that the government is actively engaging with various stakeholders to change the narrative surrounding malnutrition in Nigeria. Initiatives have been put in place, including quarterly coordination meetings to discuss ongoing efforts and challenges faced in addressing malnutrition. The government is also working to enhance these coordination efforts at both federal and state levels to ensure a more comprehensive approach.
Training and capacity-building for health providers plays a vital role in improving maternal and infant nutrition practices, as highlighted by Bako-Aiyegbusi. The Federal Government has trained over 2,000 master trainers specializing in maternal, infant, and young child feeding practices. Ongoing support is also directed towards planning training for secondary facility providers. Bako-Aiyegbusi underscored that the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life serve as a crucial window for nutritional intervention. She called upon all stakeholders to unify efforts and invest significantly in this age group, cautioning that failing to do so would have lifelong implications for the child’s health and development.
In tandem with the voices from the government, Dr. Ogechi Akalonu, Deputy Director of Nutrition at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, underscored the importance of being strategic in improving the nutritional status of women and children. She commended the collaborative efforts and reiterated the necessity of keeping nutrition at the forefront of national agendas. Strengthening communication and coordination among stakeholders remains essential to implementing effective strategies. Akalonu’s emphasis on visibility in nutrition discourse suggests a growing recognition of the need to prioritize this issue within public health frameworks.
Adding to the discourse, Dr. Osita Okonkwo, Country Director for Nutrition International, highlighted the critical need to amplify funding dedicated to Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health campaigns. Represented by the Program Officer for Child Health and Nutrition, Junaidu Sani, Okonkwo reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to aiding the Nigerian government in executing essential health initiatives. The overarching goal of these collective strategies is to foster a collaborative atmosphere that recognizes and addresses the urgent and complex challenges of child malnutrition, ultimately aiming to foster healthier futures for children in Nigeria and the wider region.
