Shettima inaugurates board of Nutrition 774 Initiative

…as FG moves to end malnutrition in Nigeria

By Kunle Sanni –

Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the board of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, describing it as a critical step by the Tinubu administration to address the growing malnutrition crisis threatening lives and national development across Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima characterized the newly inaugurated board as a “war room” established to wage an all-out battle against malnutrition in every part of the country.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, the Vice President said malnutrition has become a national emergency with far-reaching health and security implications, and called for immediate, coordinated action across all 774 local government areas.

“This Strategic Board is not a ceremonial committee; it is a war room assembled to win the battle against malnutrition in every corner of this country,” Shettima declared.

He urged board members to see their roles as urgent national assignments, emphasizing the urgency of saving lives and safeguarding the nation’s future.

The Vice President described the Nutrition 774 Initiative as a bold response to what he termed a “quiet emergency” affecting homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, commended Shettima for his leadership, noting that the initiative would help alleviate poverty and enhance national unity through improved nutrition.

In her remarks, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, applauded the initiative and called for increased support for women, particularly in communities where conflict has resulted in women and children leading households.