Nigeria has expressed its readiness to end malnutrition in the country with the launch of Nutrition 774 Initiative.
Speaking at the 15th meeting of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) held virtually on Tuesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima while underscoring the efficacy of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, explained that the programme is an indication that the government is pragmatic and fully ready to end malnutrition.
He said, âevery Nigerian child must be seen as the face of this national assignment.â He also observed that the National Nutrition Bill is the legislative backbone of the ongoing effort, and âmust protect nutrition financing from the uncertainties of political cyclesâ as well as âdefine obligations across federal, state, and local governments.
Also, the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) on Tuesday adopted the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (NPFN), 2026-2035 and directed the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to present the policy to the Federal Executive Council for ratification.
The adoption of the policy was part of decisions taken by the council at its 15th meeting held virtually and chaired by Shettima.
Summarising the Councilâs decision, the Vice President urged members of Council to be guarded by the reality that behind every statistic discussed at the meeting âis a Nigerian child whose life chances are being written by whatâ the government does or fails to do in the months ahead.
Shettima described the NPFN 2026-2035 as âthe most consequential nutrition policy this country has produced,â saying âit is multi-sectoral by design, evidence-based by discipline, and grassroots by orientation.â
The Council also approved the extension of the timeline for the submission of a draft bill on National Nutrition by six weeks and directed that the draft must be submitted to the National Assembly within eight weeks.
The Vice President commended the composition of the adhoc committee, noting that âthis is the right room to draft this Bill in.
On nutrition financing, NCN also approved the inclusion of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the Commissioners of Finance Forum, and ALGON in the sub-committee.
Shettima commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for the Sub-committeeâs work, highlighting the five financing streams identified, including, domestic, bilateral, multilateral, private sector, and innovative.
Shettima said the Sub-committee, in its operational mode, will work in close coordination with the Nutrition 774 Strategic Board to eliminate any duplication of mandate but rather reinforce one another.
Following the adoption of the policy, Council directed the Chairman of the Nigeria Governorsâ Forum, working through the NGF secretariat, and in coordination with the Office of the Vice President, to lead the establishment and inauguration of State Councils on Nutrition in the remaining 27 States and the FCT within the next three months to give a sub-national ownership of the policy as only nine Councils are in. existence of the 36 states.
The Vice President directed âthe establishment of a co-branded private sector challenge window for nutrition to be activated within sixty days, in coordination with the Dangote Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.â
Regarding the National Policy on Food and Nutrition 2026â2035, the Permanent Secretary highlighted the progress made so far, explaining that the policy is a strategic framework for food security, the protection of human capital, and the acceleration of its objectives in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Stakeholders and partners in the public and private sectors expressed full alignment with the policy, noting that it is the best way to invest in a childâs life anywhere in the world.
Deji Elumoye
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