The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that Nigeria leads Africa and ranks second worldwide in the number of malnourished children. According to Nemat Hajeebhoy, Chief of Nutrition for UNICEF Nigeria, the country has between 35 and 45 million children under five years old, with alarming malnutrition rates.
The breakdown of malnourished children in Nigeria includes 12 million stunted, nine million wasted, and 24-25 million anaemic. To combat this crisis, UNICEF has implemented various initiatives. During the recent maternal, newborn, child health week campaigns, 43 million Nigerian children received vitamin A supplements, and 19 million children were reached with deworming tablets. Additionally, over two million pregnant women received iron, folic acid, or multiple micronutrient supplements.
The Federal Government is collaborating with stakeholders to address the malnutrition crisis. Strategies include strengthening coordination, building capacity, and supporting state-level initiatives. Experts emphasize the need for increased funding to implement Maternal, Newborn and Child Health campaigns and strategize improving nutritional status.
The Director and Head of the Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, noted that efforts are being made to check progress and prioritize activities that will improve nutrition in the country. She stressed the importance of leveraging momentum to ensure every child is well-nourished, especially during the first 1000 days of life.
The Deputy Director, Nutrition, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ogechi Akalonu, highlighted the need for strategies to improve the nutritional status of women and children. Nutrition International’s Country Director, Dr. Osita Okonkwo, emphasized the need for increased funding to ensure the implementation of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health campaigns.
