The Nigerian government has unveiled the N-774 Initiative, a bold national plan aimed at directly combating malnutrition by delivering tailored nutrition interventions to each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas (LGAs).
Supported by a $50 million grant from the World Bank through the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project 2.0, the initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to addressing its nutrition crisis with locally-driven solutions.
Announcing the partnership, Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director, highlighted the importance of this funding as part of the World Bank’s crisis response framework to support Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
The ANRiN 2.0 project, he noted, marks the World Bank’s continued collaboration with Nigeria to tackle malnutrition by strengthening local government financing and fostering international support.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, introducing the N-774 Initiative, explained that the program’s community-centered approach will enable each LGA to address its specific nutrition needs.
“Malnutrition is a Nigerian problem that requires a Nigerian solution,” Shettima stated, underscoring the government’s focus on sustainable, homegrown strategies.
He added that this program aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to localized health and nutrition interventions.
The N-774 Initiative is designed to integrate resources from sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and social protection, ensuring a holistic approach to combating malnutrition. By fostering local community engagement, the initiative aims to build lasting improvements in nutrition outcomes across the country.
Trina Haque, the World Bank’s Practice Manager for Health, Nutrition, and Population, emphasized the importance of early nutrition education for children and adolescents, noting that such interventions are vital for long-term public health.
Haque expressed optimism that ANRiN 2.0 will help equip communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to combat malnutrition at its roots.
Vice President Shettima expressed confidence in the impact of the N-774 Initiative, highlighting that its success relies on the continued collaboration between Nigeria and international partners.
“The Renewed Hope Administration is committed to delivering swift, impactful results through this innovative approach to nutrition intervention,” he said, adding that the initiative is poised to drive significant improvements in Nigeria’s fight against malnutrition.