VP Shettima advocates local solutions for nutrition crisis, World Bank supports new strategy
By Kunle Sanni
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling its growing nutrition crisis through a new, community-focused strategy designed to improve nutrition outcomes across all 774 local government areas (LGAs) in the country.
The World Bank has commended this strategy, known as the N-774 Initiative, viewing its framework as a potential model for addressing malnutrition both within Nigeria and across the region.
During a meeting with a high-level World Bank delegation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, VP Shettima introduced the N-774 Initiative as an extension of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, which has shown promising outcomes.
He acknowledged the World Bank’s continued support for nutrition programs in Nigeria, noting that the launch of the N-774 Initiative comes at a critical time as the ANRiN project approaches its close.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is leading a shift in nutrition programs, focusing on locally developed solutions,” said Shettima. “The N-774 Initiative reflects our dedication to community-driven development and sustainable nutrition improvements.”
Shettima explained that the N-774 Initiative is specifically designed to address the unique needs of each LGA, delivering targeted nutrition interventions to communities and fostering local ownership for long-term success.
He emphasized that addressing malnutrition requires a uniquely Nigerian solution, integrating nutrition goals across sectors such as education, agriculture, health, and social protection.
“Malnutrition is a Nigerian problem that needs a Nigerian solution, and President Tinubu is fully committed to supporting this initiative,” he stated.
Shettima also highlighted the importance of leveraging the current political momentum to reverse the country’s poor nutrition indicators. “With continued collaboration between federal and state governments and our international partners, we are confident this initiative will lead to substantial improvements in community health outcomes,” he said.
The World Bank delegation, including Country Director Ndiame Diop and Trina Haque, the Practice Manager for Health, Nutrition, and Population, expressed strong support for the N-774 Initiative’s grassroots approach.
Diop praised Shettima’s leadership in mobilizing multi-stakeholder efforts to prioritize nutrition in national conversations and announced the World Bank’s commitment of $50 million under the ANRiN 2.0 program, which aims to address crisis-related nutritional needs.
Trina Haque stressed the importance of nutrition education for children and adolescents as a foundation for early child development, emphasizing the World Bank’s support for Nigeria’s ongoing financing and multi-sectoral efforts to combat malnutrition.
