The Federal Government has raised concerns over weak data systems, limited resources, and other barriers preventing Nigeria from meeting its nutrition goals, despite concerted efforts to tackle malnutrition through multisectoral collaboration.
Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi expressed these concerns on Wednesday in Abuja during a program titled “Addressing Coordination Bottlenecks in Nigeria for Improved Nutrition Outcomes.”
Speaking at the event, which was organised by Nigeria Health Watch to confront persistent challenges in the fight against malnutrition, Obi emphasised that while numerous interventions have been launched by government agencies, NGOs and international partners, their effectiveness has been limited by poor data systems, fragmented policies and a lack of resources.
“Nigeria faces significant nutrition and food security challenges, with approximately 37 per cent of children under five being stunted and 7 per cent wasted,” Obi stated, underlining the urgency of an integrated approach to solving the crisis.
Obi explained that the ministry is playing a key role in coordinating food and nutrition interventions as part of Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and Agenda 2050. However, he stressed that weak data systems, a shortage of personnel in nutrition divisions, and competition for resources among sectors are major obstacles to achieving these goals.
“Insufficient alignment between institutional programs, poor communication among ministries, and limited funding for nutrition programmes continue to impede progress. These barriers must be addressed urgently,” he said.
Obi highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance monitoring through the National Nutrition Dashboard, a tool developed with support from the World Bank’s Integrated Results-Based Management (IRIM) project. The dashboard allows for more efficient resource allocation and program evaluation across the country.
“The completion of the 2024 World Bank array projects is essential. Strong project performance and collaboration are crucial to addressing Nigeria’s nutrition crisis,” he emphasised.
Despite these challenges, Obi affirmed the government’s commitment to improving nutrition outcomes. He called on sub-national governments to align their policies with platforms such as the National Council on Nutrition, the Economic Council and the Governors’ Forum. Additionally, he urged for stronger partnerships with international organisations, noting that technical and financial support from such entities is critical to sustaining and scaling up nutrition programs.
“With the passage of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN), there is renewed momentum to implement the multi-sectoral plan of action for food and nutrition. However, without improved data systems and adequate resources, achieving our nutrition goals will remain a challenge,” Obi noted.
He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing nutrition outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups like children under five and women of reproductive age.
UNICEF Nigeria’s chief of nutrition, Ms. Nemat Hajeebhoy also spoke at the event, emphasising the urgent need for better coordination to advance nutrition efforts. She underscored the importance of ensuring that every ministry, department and agency understands its responsibilities related to nutrition actions, financing and data management.
“Evidence-based policies are vital for shaping the country’s nutrition strategies,” she said, stressing that robust data systems are critical for identifying gaps and driving impactful interventions. Quoting Kofi Annan, she stated, “Without data, we’re flying blind.”
Head of nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Mrs. Ladi Aiyegbusi noted that, despite limited funding, collaboration with partners is helping to bridge the gaps. She highlighted efforts to strengthen grassroots coordination through state-level committees and annual operational plans to align activities and improve results.
Aiyegbusi also emphasised the key role of the National Council of Nutrition, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, in coordinating multi-sectoral nutrition interventions. She disclosed that over 2,000 master trainers across Nigeria’s 36 states are leading efforts in maternal and child nutrition.
Permanent secretary of Gombe State, Mr. Jalo Ali added that malnutrition is no longer a regional issue but a national challenge. “While policies exist, without adequate resources, their implementation remains difficult,” he said, noting that donor funding alone cannot cover all local government areas (LGAs) in the state, leaving gaps that hinder progress in tackling malnutrition.
Ali explained that in Gombe State, volunteers are being trained to identify and refer malnourished children. However, gaps in health services remain a significant issue, underscoring the need to strengthen collaboration and build capacity.
Programmes manager at Nigeria Health Watch, Ms. Adanna Opara highlighted the persisting coordination gaps in Nigeria’s nutrition efforts. She noted the challenges of undernutrition, including stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions, as well as issues of over-nutrition, such as overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“Micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamin A, folic acid, and minerals like iron, zinc, and iodine, are significant concerns,” Opara said. She revealed that over-nutrition is prevalent, with 20.3 per centof the population overweight and 11.6 per cent classified as obese. Additionally, 3.7 per cent of Nigerians suffer from diabetes, translating to 3.6 million cases among adults, according to the 2021 International Diabetes Federation.
Hypertension and heart disease are also widespread, affecting 31.2 per cent of Nigerians. Cancer is another major concern, with 115,950 cases recorded in 2018, according to the Global Cancer Observatory.
Opara stressed the importance of improving breastfeeding rates as part of Nigeria’s nutrition strategy. “Nigeria’s current exclusive breastfeeding rate falls below global and national targets, which further highlights the need to address these challenges,” she said.
With malnutrition remaining a pressing issue, the event provided actionable recommendations to address coordination gaps. These solutions could help improve nutrition policies, increase budgetary allocations, and achieve more sustainable outcomes for Nigeria’s food security agenda.
