Catherine Akpan
Lawmakers have expressed concern about the huge economic and human cost to cases of malnutrition in the country, resolving to give the necessary legislative backing towards the elimination of malnutrition in Nigeria.
The position was made at the 2026 strategic policy dialogue on Advancing Key Nutrition Priorities for six focal states, held in Uyo last week on Strengthening Legislative Action for Improved Nutrition Outcomes in Nigeria, organised by the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Dr. Chike John Okafor, in his keynote address, had stated that malnutrition costs Nigeria more than oil pipeline vandalism and power outages combined.
Okafor stressed that nutrition is not a social welfare issue, but an economic issue.
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Quoting the World Bank report, he stated that the country loses about $2.5 billion annually to malnutrition, representing about 12% of Nigeria’s GDP due to reduced productivity, healthcare costs, and lost potentials.
The lawmaker reasoned that nutrition remains one of the best investments any government can make as every $1 invested in nutrition generates $16 in economic returns.
“Good nutrition leads to healthier children, better learning outcomes, a more productive workforce, and ultimately, faster GDP growth.”
He regretted that 32% of our children under 5 are stunted, 7.1% wasted, while 58% of women of reproductive age are anaemic.
Expressing worry over the funding gap, he said currently, less than 0.5% of the federal budget goes to nutrition-specific interventions even when experts estimate that ‘‘we need at least 1.5% to meet global targets.
“I therefore call on this State Houses of Assembly to ring-fence nutrition budget lines in the appropriation; ensure timely release of approved funds; mandate quarterly reporting from MDAs.”
He emphasised that a well-nourished child becomes a productive student, a skilled worker, and a contributing citizen; adding that a well-nourished Nigeria is a wealthy Nigeria.
“Let us, as legislators and stakeholders, commit today to turning Nigeria’s demographic potential into a demographic dividend,” he stated.
The lawmakers from Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Lagos and Nasarawa States in their presentations revealed that they are currently working with other arms of government to canvas for more funding to improved nutrition in their respective States.
The Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Dr. Abubakar Suleman, who admitted that the dialogue reflects on a collective resolve to strengthen nutrition governance, promote evidence-based policymaking, and forge enduring partnerships that will improve maternal and child health outcomes while securing a healthier, more prosperous future for our nation.
Dr Suleman, revealed that Bauchi State Government has already commenced the implementation of legislation, enforcing 6 months paid maternity leave for women under hr employ and the initiative is getting the required budgetary attention, among other steps taken to improve Nutrition in the State.
Equally speaking, the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Danladi Jatau aligned with the notion, that improved nutrition yields far-reaching dividends, reduce maternal and child mortality, strengthens immunity against disease, improves educational outcomes, enhances workforce productivity, lowers healthcare costs, combats poverty and inequality, among other benefits expected to generate multiple returns for families, communities, and the nation.
He expressed confidence that the State will adopt and implement the resolutions reached at the seminar, giving assurance that the State Assembly is currently working on the State Nutrition Bill, and will be glad to be among the first State to pass the bill into law, as well as push for Nutrition 774 Programme at grassroots.
The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on and Nutrition, Hon Moses Essien, in his goodwill message, commended CS-SUNN and its valued partners for convening the strategic platform to deepen policy dialogue, strengthen legislative commitment and galvanise collective action towards improved nutrition outcomes for Nigerians.
To him, ”nutrition is not just a public health concern, but a cornerstone of human development, social equity, economic resilience, and national prosperity, adding that a well-nourished population is healthier, more productive, intellectually equipped and better positioned to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.
”Therefore, investing in nutrition remains one of the most cost-effective and transformative investments any society can make in safeguarding its future, maintaining that findings from the 2023/2024 NDHS survey serves as a reminder of the gaps that persist within the nation’s nutrition ecosystem, posing serious threat to children whose physical growth, cognitive development, educational attainment, and future economic productivity remain at risk.”
He advocated urgent, coordinated and results-driven interventions across all levels of government and society.
The lawmaker enumerated Akwa Ibom State Government effort in ensuring that nutrition, maternal health, and child survival remain integral pillars of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, while the State Assembly remains steadfast in advancing progressive legislation and providing effective oversight to strengthen healthcare and nutrition systems.
The lawmaker assured that the State Assembly Committee on Health, will exercise unwavering commitment to working closely with CS-SUNN, development partners, government institutions and civil society organisations in advancing policies and programmes that place nutrition at the very heart of sustainable development.
The Chairperson, Board of Trustees Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Dr Mbang Adah, in her remarks, welcomed participants to the Strategic Policy Discourse on Strengthening Legislative Action for Improved Nutrition Outcomes in Nigeria, particularly their commitment to advance nutrition as a national and state development priority.
According to her, ‘‘the country have witnessed progress in nutrition governance, stronger multi-sectoral coordination, growing political commitment, and increasing recognition that investing in nutrition is one of the smartest investments citizens can make in the nation’s human capital.
‘‘Yet, we also know that policy commitments alone do not improve nutrition outcomes. Sustainable progress depends on effective implementation, predictable financing, strong institutions, robust legislative oversight, and continuous accountability.
“Today’s discourse is therefore more than just a meeting, it is a platform for action. It provides us with an opportunity to reflect on progress made, examine the challenges that continue to hinder nutrition outcomes, and identify practical, evidence-based solutions that will strengthen legislative leadership, increase domestic financing, promote enabling policies, and improve accountability for nutrition investments,” she stated.
Speaking further, she explained that the diversity of expertise represented at the event is one of their greatest strengths.
“Legislators enact laws, approve budgets, and provide oversight. The Executive drives implementation and service delivery. Development partners provide technical expertise and catalytic support, while civil society generates evidence, promotes accountability, and amplifies the voices of communities. It is only through sustained collaboration among all these stakeholders that we can achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in nutrition.
She urged to the participants to brainstorm and then make concrete commitments, seized the opportunity to strengthen legislative action, institutionalize sustainable financing mechanisms such as the Child Nutrition Fund, promote supportive policies including six months paid maternity leave, and ensure nutrition remains central to our development agenda.
“Ultimately, the success of this discourse will not be measured by the quality of our presentations or discussions, but by the actions we take afterwards, the policies we enact, the resources we mobilize, the oversight we strengthen, and the lives we improve.
‘‘I wish to express our sincere appreciation to our development partners, particularly UNICEF and other partners, for their unwavering support to CS-SUNN and the Government of Nigeria in advancing the national nutrition agenda.’’
While welcoming participants to a discourse described as productive, engaging, and impactful, she thanked them for their commitment towards improving the lives of women, children, and vulnerable populations.
Speaking on the state of Nutrition in Nigeria, using the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey and its implications for the affected states, Dr Maria Odey Bisong of the Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare explained that Nigeria continues to face a triple burden of malnutrition, under-nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and a growing burden of overweight, obesity, and diet-related non-communicable diseases.
Despite progress in some areas, Dr Bisong said malnutrition remains a major public health challenge affecting women, children, and vulnerable populations. Hence the need for a effort as a Nation to combat the challenge (Food and Nutrition), which according to her enquiries fostering unity, promoting equitable representation and demanding accountability.
According to Bisong, the National Demographic and Health Survey indicates that the nutritional status of children under 5 years according to the four anthropometric indices, varying percentage women aged 15–49 years are anaemic, while others are underweight among issues of concern.
She stated that the alarming discoveries has led to increased attention to nutrition budgeting at both federal and sub-national levels, the exploration of innovative and diversified nutrition financing mechanisms, like the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a UNICEF-led coordination and catalytic funding mechanism designed to accelerate the scale-up of sustainable policies, programmes and supplies to end child under-nutrition in high-need countries.”
The dialogue is canvassing for an increase domestic funding for nutrition to institutionalise the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF); advance six months paid maternity leave policies; strengthen accountability and integrate nutrition into constituency project; establish Legislative Nutrition Champions to anchor nutrition in state agendas.
