Nigeria's National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the N-774 programme as a primary platform to combat malnutrition in the country.
The NEC approved the programme on Wednesday at its 144th meeting chaired by Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima, a decision that followed a presentation on the state of nutrition in Nigeria by the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate.
The council approved the program and other “critical resolutions aimed at improving the nation’s nutritional outcomes,” according to a statehouse news release issued after the meeting.
The statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said the council encouraged development partners to provide financial and technical assistance, particularly in the areas of monitoring annual results and scaling up successful interventions.
Other NEC resolutions
The council also agreed to prioritize nutrition interventions in the 2025 budget at the federal, state and local levels, ensuring that sufficient funds are allocated to meet the country's nutrition goals.
It also resolved to strengthen the functionality and financing of the Food and Nutrition Committees of State and Local Governments.
The NEC stated: “The establishment and operation of food and nutrition security (FNS) working groups at subnational levels will also be supported to ensure effective coordination, monitoring and reporting.”
Article page with promotion of financial support
Malnutrition in Nigeria
Malnutrition is a direct or underlying cause of 45 percent of all deaths in children under five, according to the United Nations Children's Education Fund (UNICEF).
Nigeria faces a severe malnutrition crisis: 32% of children under five are stunted, placing the country second in the world for the number of stunted children.
In 2023, the UN agency said its findings showed that federal and state governments were not budgeting sufficient funds to address malnutrition among children in Nigeria.
He noted that four states – Kano, Borno, Katsina and Lagos – currently ranked highest on the food insecurity scale.
The need for increased funding to carry out awareness and advocacy campaigns in remote areas and to provide assistance to children facing severe malnutrition in the country was highlighted.