The Kano State Government has approved over N637 million and released N500 million in counterpart funds under the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF).
This fund is a critical step toward expanding sustainable funding, programs and supplies to combat malnutrition in the state.
The CNF, designed to support countries with high rates of child malnutrition, matches government investments to accelerate the prevention, detection and treatment of manifestations of malnutrition.
Kano State reflects Nigeria's national malnutrition challenges: 51.9% of children under five are stunted, 38.4% are underweight and 10.4% are wasted, Survey says National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2023-24.
These alarming figures represent lives affected by malnutrition and related conditions that hinder growth, weaken immunity and reduce productivity in later adulthood.
Through CNF, the state can increase its stock of essential nutritional products such as ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), micronutrient powders (MNP), lipid-based nutrient supplements in small quantities (SQ-LNS). ) and others necessary to treat, manage and prevent malnutrition by 100%. CS-SUNN's advocacy efforts in collaboration with partners such as Alive & Thrive, UNICEF and others played a role in this. achievement.
The participation of key government officials including the Kano State Chief of Service, Commissioner for Health and Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, among others, emphasized the need for state support to establish Nutrition Departments in the relevant MDAs , extending paid maternity leave from three to six. months and timely approval and release of the CNF.
Media roundtables amplified these efforts, increasing visibility and galvanizing support for the approval and publication of CNF and other nutritional interventions.
Advocacy visits to traditional leaders, including the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Sanusi II, further underlined the need for action.
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The Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo, led a delegation of nutrition partners (Alive and Thrive, UNICEF, among others) and some delegates from Kano State; Habib Umar Kankarofi (Director of Planning, Ministry of Budget and Planning) and Dalhatu Danladi (Deputy Director of Planning, same ministry) to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Sanusi II.
He noted that with more than 50% of children stunted (according to the recent National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2023/24), Kano is home to 3.4 million children under the age of five, of whom 350,000 suffer from wasting.
It is alarming that one in every two women in the state suffers from anemia. However, Mr Okoronkwo commended the state government for its efforts in addressing malnutrition but stressed the need for greater and timely release of funds to effectively address the growing burden of malnutrition and support the implementation of the Food and Nutrition Strategy. State budgeted nutrition.
The advocacy team requested that the Emir leverage his influence to help unlock critical funds and catalyze actions by key decision makers to improve nutrition, including the release of the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF).
In his response, His Royal Highness emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child's life. He pointed out that efforts are insufficient in the most vital stages: before conception, at birth and during breastfeeding, and highlighted the need to act specifically in these phases.
Drawing from his experience as a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Emir recounted his advocacy for six months of maternity leave to support exclusive breastfeeding.
While it was considered too expensive at the time, he reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic showed that flexible working arrangements were more cost-effective even at the highest levels.
The Emir demonstrated deep concern for the well-being of women and children in Kano, emphasizing his commitment to contribute to addressing the state's malnutrition crisis.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and the Nutrition Council, he expressed his determination to advocate to key stakeholders (Commissioners of Finance, Budget, Health and the Secretary to the Kano State Government) urging them to prioritize nutrition.
As custodian of his people, the Emir underscored the urgency of addressing malnutrition, describing it as a moral duty to safeguard the future of Kano's children and empower its women to thrive.
With coordinated efforts across sectors and continued leadership from key stakeholders, Kano has the opportunity to transform its nutritional landscape.
Aligning traditional authority with government action ensures a collaborative approach to breaking the cycle of malnutrition and giving every child the opportunity to thrive. The approval and release of the CNF counterpart fund signals a new chapter of hope and progress for the children of Kano.