Nigeria faces a severe nutrition crisis that requires coordinated financial investment and accountability across both government and private sectors, according to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II. Speaking in Lagos at the 56th Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Sanusi warned that malnutrition threatens national productivity and child development.
Malnutrition Statistics and Regional Disparities in Nigeria
According to the Nigeria Mini-Demographic and Health Survey 2025-26 cited by Sanusi, 41.1 percent of children under five are stunted, and 19.2 percent suffer from severe stunting. The crisis hits the North-West region hardest, where stunting reaches 58.2 percent among children under five. Furthermore, data shows that only 25.3 percent of these children received iron-containing supplements over the past year. Sanusi emphasized that these metrics must directly guide public budgets and targeted intervention programs.
Did you know? Malnutrition directly impacts economic output. According to Sanusi, a poorly nourished child struggles to learn, which ultimately creates an underproductive workforce unable to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Multisectoral Approach and Government Initiatives
Addressing the crisis demands more than health sector interventions, according to Sanusi, who serves as the Chairman of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria Board of Trustees. He noted that agriculture, education, water and sanitation, social protection, trade, finance, and political leadership all dictate nutrition outcomes. Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Mrs Uju Rochas-Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Focal Person on Nutrition, stated that the federal government is utilizing the Nutrition 774 Initiative through the National Council on Nutrition to push localized interventions into every local government area.
“Good intentions do not feed a child. Budgets must be released on time, expenditures tracked, and every naira judged by measurable community impact,” Rochas-Anwukah said.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Food Systems Investment
Industry leaders and academic experts at the conference stressed the necessity of unified action. Nutrition Society of Nigeria President Prof. Salisu Abubakar noted that interconnected nutrition problems demand intelligent solutions linking food systems, health systems, and the private sector. Abubakar urged businesses to expand workforce nutrition programs and invest heavily in local food systems and food fortification.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, called for deeper collaboration among regulators, academics, and policymakers. Adeyeye stated that working alongside the Nutrition Society of Nigeria will bolster consumer protection, food safety, and public access to healthy diets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Nigerian children under five are stunted?
According to the Nigeria Mini-Demographic and Health Survey 2025-26, 41.1 percent of children under five are stunted, with 19.2 percent experiencing severe stunting.
Which region in Nigeria has the highest stunting rates?
The North-West region records a stunting rate of 58.2 percent among children under five, according to data shared at the Nutrition Society of Nigeria conference.
What is the Nutrition 774 Initiative?
Described by presidential aide Uju Rochas-Anwukah, the Nutrition 774 Initiative is a program by the National Council on Nutrition designed to deploy targeted nutrition interventions across every local government area in Nigeria.
How does malnutrition affect Nigeria’s economy?
Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II noted that malnourished children struggle to learn, which results in an adult workforce lacking the productivity required for national economic transformation.
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