VP Shettima urges immediate action to end malnutrition in Nigeria

By Kunle Sanni

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for urgent and decisive action to combat malnutrition in Nigeria, emphasizing that discussions alone will not resolve the crisis.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) on Wednesday, Shettima warned that malnutrition poses a major threat to national security and economic productivity. He urged government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), along with development partners and the private sector, to adopt a multisectoral approach to address the issue.

“We are dealing with a crisis that threatens both our national security and economic productivity. Malnutrition is not just a health issue; it is a silent emergency that weakens our workforce and slows national growth. This is why we must approach it with the urgency it deserves,” Shettima said.

He stressed the need for data-driven policies and practical interventions, highlighting the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a grassroots program aimed at institutionalizing nutrition efforts at the local government level.

Shettima emphasized that the government must take the lead in funding nutrition programs, stating that global commitments will only be meaningful when translated into domestic action.

“The world is watching us, but more importantly, the Nigerian people are counting on us,” he said.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, noted that the NCN serves as a platform to drive national efforts on nutrition. He called for increased collaboration across sectors to improve food security and public health.

The council also resolved to appoint a high-level committee, co-chaired by the Ministers of Health and Budget & Economic Planning, to develop a Food and Nutrition Crisis Preparedness Plan.