Vice President Kashim Shettima has issued a stark warning over the rising malnutrition crisis affecting young children across Nigeria, revealing that nearly 40% of children under five are unable to achieve their full physical and mental potential due to inadequate nutrition.
Speaking on Tuesday at the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that the alarming figures highlight a national emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action. The summit was part of the House of Representatives’ Open Week and brought together lawmakers, development partners, and nutrition advocates to chart a path forward.
Represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Shettima outlined the federal government’s efforts to tackle the crisis, including the rollout of the Nutrition 774 Initiative. This grassroots-focused program, endorsed by the National Council on Nutrition, aims to improve nutrition outcomes in all 774 local government areas, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
“Malnutrition is not just a health issue—it threatens our economic future, educational outcomes, and human capital development,” Shettima said. “We must stop viewing it as charity work and recognize it as a matter of justice and national security.”
He urged all levels of government to prioritize nutrition in their budgets and strengthen oversight to ensure funds translate into real improvements at the community level.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, also addressed the gathering, warning that the economic toll of poor nutrition is immense. He noted that it costs Nigeria around 12.2% of its Gross National Income, equivalent to roughly $56 billion annually, while food losses after harvest contribute an additional $2 billion loss every year.
Abbas called for an end to the multiple levies imposed on food transporters, which drive up costs and worsen food insecurity. He also stressed the need for policy reforms that align federal, state, and local governments under a unified strategy.
Among new legislative measures under consideration are proposals for six months of maternity leave to support early childhood nutrition and a bill to regulate the sale of edible oils to improve public health standards.
Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Chike Okafor, highlighted that the consequences of malnutrition go beyond stunting and anemia, affecting national productivity and contributing to ongoing economic challenges. He announced ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of nutrition programs, curb wastage, and better allocate resources in collaboration with local and international partners.
Okafor also pointed to new tax reforms as a step toward reducing food inflation and improving access to nutritious foods nationwide.
In closing, Shettima and other speakers urged stakeholders to move beyond words to concrete actions, uniting behind a single national nutrition framework. “A nourished child is a foundation for a prosperous future,” Shettima concluded. “It is time to act—not tomorrow, but today.”
