Malnutrition: Nigerian governors to establish national nutrition intervention fund

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) will establish a National Nutrition Intervention Fund to support the implementation of the Nutrition 774 Initiative across all local government areas in the country.

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This is contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Kashim Shettima on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Nkwocha quoted Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara as disclosing this in Ethiopia while reading the NGF-Addis Ababa Commitment on Nutrition.

Mr Lawal explained that the proposed fund was expected to incentivise state-level leadership, encourage increased domestic investment, reward effective implementation and support measurable improvements in nutrition outcomes.

He said governors of the 36 states of the federation had resolved to declare war on hunger by launching a nationwide nutrition emergency.

“This massive mobilisation will establish a powerful National Nutrition Intervention Fund to instantly advance Nigeria’s ambitious Nutrition 774 Initiative across every single local government area in Nigeria.

“The commitment followed a three-day Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange, where the Nigerian delegation led by the Vice President Kashim Shettima studied Ethiopia’s experience in nutrition delivery.

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“Particularly through its Seqota Declaration. From lessons to commitment: Accelerating Implementation of the Nutrition 774 Initiative,” the governor said.

Mr Lawal said governors pledged to strengthen domestic financing, deepen accountability at the grassroots, and institutionalise a unified framework for nutrition planning and budgeting.

The governor said the exchange had reinforced the importance of sustained political leadership, effective multisectoral coordination, and ownership at all levels of government.

He noted that Nigeria’s Nutrition 774 Initiative already embodied many of Ethiopia’s principles, adding that the exchange provided practical lessons to strengthen the programme and deliver measurable results.

“We are encouraged that Nigeria’s N774 Initiative already embodies many of the principles we have seen here in Ethiopia.

“This leadership exchange has, however, provided important practical lessons on how these principles can be further strengthened and translated into results,” he stated.

Mr Lawal recalled that the three tiers of government signed the Nutrition Compact on 20 February 2025, to establish a common commitment to tackling malnutrition.

He said the compact was signed by the Chairman of the NGF on behalf of the 36 states and the President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), on behalf of the 774 local governments.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, said that the federal government would begin targeted nutrition interventions in two states.

Mr Aina, who spoke on behalf of federal agencies, said the Nigerian delegation had learnt important lessons from Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation, early childhood development programmes and data-driven initiatives.

He identified clear vision and leadership, alignment across the three tiers of government, evidence-based prioritisation, rigorous measurement and disciplined execution as critical elements for achieving sustainable results.

According to him, the federal team would adopt a focused approach by selecting two states based on their stunting burden, defining clear objectives and developing multisectoral interventions tailored to their needs.

He said relevant ministers and federal agencies would work with the governors and their teams to identify sectoral priorities and determine the responsibilities of each tier of government.

Mr Aina explained that the plan would be costed, with the participating governments working towards a joint financing arrangement and establishing measurable indicators to track progress.

“We will track very rigorously progress in the execution of the plan,” he said.

On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the exchange had provided valuable lessons on translating political commitments into practical action and measurable nutrition outcomes.

Mr Pate identified focused sectoral action, a clear implementation roadmap, performance matrices and accountability as critical to accelerating Nigeria’s response to malnutrition.

He said the federal government would work with states to turn the commitments made during the exchange into practical interventions, with progress reported to the vice president through the National Council on Nutrition.

According to him, the combined efforts of federal and state governments, communities and development partners will be essential to achieving sustainable results.

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Mr Pate expressed confidence that Nigeria could adapt Ethiopia’s experience to its own circumstances.

The minister noted that the progress recorded by the East African country demonstrated the value of sustained political leadership and coordinated action.

Also, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Mekdes Daba, commended Nigeria for its commitment to strengthening nutrition delivery.

Daba described the leadership exchange as a practical demonstration of African countries learning from one another, noting that the Nutrition 774 Initiative represented a significant national commitment.

(NAN)