The National Council on Nutrition (NCN) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria, marking a significant step in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to improve the nation’s nutritional status.
At a high-level meeting held Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the NCN, announced several key measures aimed at tackling these pressing issues. “Our dedication to this Council reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving the nutritional status of every Nigerian,” Shettima declared.
Central to the new strategy is the establishment of a national nutrition dashboard, to be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This tool is designed to enhance oversight and coordination of nutrition-related initiatives across the country.
The government has also created a Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit within the framework of the Presidential Economic Coordination Committee, recognizing the urgency of addressing food crises and developing more resilient and sustainable food systems in Nigeria.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the administration’s commitment to prioritizing nutrition as a crucial component of national development. “This initiative provides us an opportunity to step up our collective efforts to improve the country’s food and nutrition security,” Bagudu stated.
In a collaborative effort, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has convened a task force to address acute malnutrition, resulting in the acquisition of millions of packs of commodities. Additionally, a joint initiative between the Minister of Health and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy has secured about $30 million from restructured World Bank project resources for nutrition commodities.
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, outlined eight priority areas to address the nation’s nutritional needs. These include enhancing value chains for improved nutrition, diversifying household production with a focus on women, improving access to micronutrient-rich foods, and enhancing food safety along the value chain.
The meeting, attended by key ministers and representatives from various development organizations, underscored the collaborative approach being taken to address these critical issues. Vice President Shettima called for active and proactive participation from all stakeholders, emphasizing that “collaboration is paramount to our continued success in addressing national nutrition challenges.”
As Nigeria faces significant challenges in food security and nutrition, these new measures represent a concerted effort to develop more resilient and sustainable food systems in the country. The success of this initiative will be closely watched as it unfolds in the coming months.
