In a groundbreaking move to address the pressing issues of malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria, the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) has given its stamp of approval to a series of new measures.
These measures are aligned with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to enhance the nutritional well-being of all Nigerians.
During a momentous gathering at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, July 16, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the chairman of NCN, called for active and proactive participation from all relevant stakeholders.
This includes ministries, departments, agencies, development partners, and various other actors committed to combating malnutrition and ensuring food security.
Highlighting the unwavering dedication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving the nutritional status of every Nigerian, Shettima affirmed the council’s commitment to this noble cause.
His statement, as conveyed by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Information, emphasized the urgent need for collective action.
Among the approved measures, a crucial step forward is the establishment of a national nutrition dashboard. This comprehensive tool will be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and its data will also be made available on the NCN’s official website.
With the aim of enhancing oversight and coordination of nutrition-related initiatives nationwide, this dashboard will provide valuable insights for effective decision-making.
Vice President Shettima referenced the recently established Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, which operates within the framework of the Presidential Economic Coordination Committee.
Acknowledging the urgency of the food crises, the Tinubu administration is dedicated to addressing the underlying causes and developing resilient and sustainable food systems in Nigeria.
Addressing the participants at the meeting, Vice President Shettima expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all stakeholders in the nutrition sector.
He extended the federal government’s readiness to collaborate with development partners and other actors, emphasizing the importance of unity in addressing national nutrition challenges.
He said, “Let us forge ahead with optimism and resolve, knowing that together we are making substantial changes in the lives of our people. I extend my gratitude for your steadfast support and diligent efforts. Collaboration is paramount to our continued success in addressing national nutrition challenges, and I encourage active and proactive participation from all involved ministries and partners, as your contributions are essential to our progress.
Together, through robust and dynamic collaboration, we can achieve significant advancements in our mission to improve nutritional outcomes for all citizens. All the ministers are willing to collaborate with each other, anchored on maturity, mutual trust, and confidence.”
Senator Shettima applauded the commendable efforts of frontline ministries in combating malnutrition and hunger in the country. He recognized the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for convening a task force to address the acute malnutrition crisis, resulting in the procurement of millions of packs of commodities.
He also commended the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, securing around 30 million dollars for commodities through the restructuring of World Bank project resources. Additionally, he praised the Ministry of Finance’s task force for accelerating cash transfer and the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to increase food availability and affordability.
Earlier in the meeting, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritize nutrition as a crucial component of national development.
He acknowledged that the gathering, which focused on proposing actionable recommendations and enhancing the implementation of existing nutrition intervention programs in line with national policy, provided an opportunity to escalate efforts in improving the country’s food and nutrition security.
