ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The National Council on Nutrition (NCN) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has approved new measures to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.
A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha said the move was part of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve the nutritional status of all Nigerians.
Speaking at a meeting of the NCN at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima, emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing the nation’s nutrition crisis. He highlighted the administration’s commitment to improving the nutritional status of every Nigerian.
Among the approved measures is the establishment of a national nutrition dashboard to be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This tool, he explained, aims to provide better oversight and coordination of nutrition-related initiatives across the country.
The Vice President also referenced the recently created Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, which operates within the framework of the Presidential Economic Coordination Committee. He stressed the urgency of the food crisis and the administration’s efforts to develop more resilient and sustainable food systems in Nigeria.
The VP commended the efforts of all stakeholders in the nutrition space and assured development partners and other actors of the Federal Government’s readiness to work with them.
He said: “We are willing and ready to work with you for the good of the Nigerian nation. Let us forge ahead with optimism and resolve, knowing that together we are making substantial changes in the lives of our people. I extend my gratitude for your steadfast support and diligent efforts.”
Senator Shettima commended the efforts of some frontline ministries in combating malnutrition and hunger in the country, describing their actions as worthy of emulation.
The meeting also received updates on Nigeria’s current nutritional status and proposed actionable recommendations to enhance the implementation of existing nutrition intervention programmes in line with national policy.
The strategy includes enhancing value chains for improved nutrition, diversifying household production and consumption with a focus on women, improving access to micronutrient-rich foods, and enhancing food safety along the value chain. It also involves building resilience and social protection networks for vulnerable groups, promoting nutrition research, and improving the agriculture sector’s capacity to address food security and nutrition problems.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim; Minister of Information & National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and representatives of development organisations, including the World Bank, USAID, UN agencies, and the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project.
