The Federal Government has declared Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis a national emergency, stressing that the country loses over $1.5 billion annually as a result.
Uju Rochas-Anwuka, Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, in Calabar.
She revealed that Nigeria ranks 1st in Africa and 2nd globally for child malnutrition, describing it as a major setback to human capital development.
“The Nutrition 774 Initiative was conceived to provide a unified response to Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis, elevating nutrition as a national priority,” Rochas-Anwuka said. “It is a multi-sectoral, community-based framework established to improve nutritional outcomes across the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.”
She explained that the initiative is anchored on a five-phase Strategic Plan designed to strengthen governance structures, ensure accountability, and guarantee sustainability. State councils on nutrition, she added, will provide leadership, policy direction, and oversight for the initiative’s implementation.
Rochas-Anwuka also commended Cross River State for budgeting for nutrition, stressing that such investments strengthen local systems and align with federal goals.
Governor Bassey Otu, in his response, highlighted his administration’s people-centered policies, particularly in health and education.
“Our agenda was very clear from the beginning; we want a people’s government here. Everything we do places the people at the center,” the governor said. “Education and health are the two key areas that, if not working well, no society can make progress.”
He added that Cross River’s efforts to strengthen nutrition and preventive healthcare have already led to a decline in infant morbidity and mortality. Some of the interventions include fully paid maternity and paternity leave, fortified staple foods, and expanded school feeding programmes.
“Preventive health is far more effective than tackling ailments after they occur. That is why we are investing in nutrition, early childcare, and food security to build a strong immune base right from infancy,” Otu explained.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to reforms that prioritize nutrition, healthcare, and education, while calling for stronger federal support.
What you should know
Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis is among the worst in the world, with the country losing over $1.5 billion each year. The Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative seeks to tackle this challenge through nationwide interventions.
Cross River State, under Governor Bassey Otu, has already introduced policies such as fortified foods and school feeding programmes to improve child nutrition and health outcomes.
