The Country Director of Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF, Dr. Simba Tirima has disclosed that approximately 2.6 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition, with another nine million moderately malnourished.
This was made known at an event organised by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare held on Saturday, in Abuja.
Earlier in June, the Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, said its inpatient facilities in northern Nigeria recorded an extraordinary increase in admissions of severely malnourished children with life-threatening complications, exceeding last year’s figures by over 100 per cent in some locations.
MSF said this is an alarming indication of a premature peak of the lean season and the increase in acute malnutrition that accompanies it, typically anticipated in July.
However, while dialoguing on ‘Malnutrition surge in northern Nigeria: Addressing a looming humanitarian crisis’, various stakeholders present at the event expressed readiness and commitment to partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria and development partners to combat the rising malnutrition in Northern Nigeria.
Specifically, the founder and Chancellor of the Athena Centre, Osita Chidoka, in his opening remarks at the event, called on stakeholders to unite to save the lives of young Nigerians facing acute malnutrition.
Highlighting the alarming rate of malnutrition in the region and the urgent need for action against it, he called for collaborative efforts to address this pressing issue.
Chidoka called for a national awakening to the malnutrition problem, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts between the federal and state governments, as well as international partners.
“This event is about bringing national consciousness to the issue and finding tangible solutions to make sure our people do not suffer from acute hunger”, he said.
On his part, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced various interventions by the government, including establishing several treatment sites equipped with locally sourced, ready-to-use therapeutic foods for acute malnutrition cases in the northeast.
He revealed that the FG has approved $11bn to be disbursed among the states of the federation.
He said: “Our children are among the most important assets that this country has. This multi-sectoral body brings together key ministries such as agriculture, health, and education to tackle the systemic issues contributing to malnutrition.
“ This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure food security and improve the health of Nigerians in the long term.
“A significant portion of the approved funds will be directed towards enhancing 1,200 primary health care centres nationwide. These centres will be better equipped to provide essential services, including the treatment of acute malnutrition.
“Additionally, the government has secured a $60m commitment from UNICEF’s Children Nutrition Fund, which will be used to purchase ready-to-use therapeutic foods and other necessary supplies”, Pate added.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Director of Nutrition and Food Safety in the Ministry, Mrs Fatima Sugra, outlined plans for long-term food production, fortification, and emphasising sustainable agricultural practices.
He said, “Short-term measures include distributing improved seed varieties and fertilisers to farmers, promoting homestead gardening, and enhancing livestock production.”
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, also stressed the importance of agricultural development as a strategy to combat malnutrition and hunger in the region.
Bago emphasised the need for improved agricultural practices to ensure the production of high-quality, nutritious food.
He noted that addressing malnutrition begins with addressing food security, which in turn relies heavily on the agricultural sector.
“My administration has focused on diversifying Niger state’s economy through enhanced agricultural production, the state’s efforts to mechanise farming are more efficient and capable of meeting local and broader demands.
“Remarkably, Niger State has more mechanisation and tractors than the rest of Nigeria combined, showcasing the region’s significant progress in agricultural development,” he said.
On his part, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state called for a renewed focus on the North West and North Central regions, urging development partners to avoid regional biases with a sustained focus on the North East.
Governor Umar Dikko Radda of Katsina emphasised the need for immediate action, pledging counterpart funding for interventions in his State.
Also, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, represented by his deputy, Umar Abubakar Tafida, reiterated the state’s immediate readiness to partner with stakeholders to assist malnourished citizens.
The World Bank Lead for Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, Ritgak Tilley-Gyado, proposed actions to improve governance and coordination, create social protection programmes and deploy cross-sectoral nutrition innovations for health and healthy diets.
