By Justina Auta, News Agency of Nigeria, Abuja
Key food and nutrition stakeholders have urged the government to prioritise sustainable nutrition policies and actions to strengthen Nigeria’s economic productivity and support national growth.
They made the call at the 2025 National Nutrition week, themed,” “Sustainable Nutrition for a healthier and productive Nigeria ” organised by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and NGOs on Monday in Abuja.
Dr Michael Ojo, Country Director Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to address malnutrition, which hinders productivity and perpetuates poverty.
Ojo noted the current ongoing efforts in reviewing the National Policy on Food and Nutrition, which will set a clear agenda and priorities for the next 10 years.
“The scale of the hunger and malnutrition challenge, acute and chronic, across the country is not lost on us.
” I believe this Nutrition Week will reignite our resolve to sustain the gains and accelerate progress, ensuring that every Nigerian has equitable access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food. This is key to a healthy and productive nation.
“To achieve Sustainable Nutrition for a Healthier and Productive Nigeria, what we need indeed is Coherent Policies and Actions for Better Nutrition and Productivity,” he said.
Dr Osita Okonkwo, Country Director, Nutrition International, represented by Dr Junaidu Sani stressed the need for impact- driven collective action to address malnutrition in Nigeria.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, while declaring open the nutrition week, emphasised the link between adequate nutrition and productive workforce and resilient economy.
“Our nation’s nutrition moment is at a critical juncture. There’s no doubt that we have made commendable progress in improving maternal and child health expanding essential nutrition services and strengthening food system.
” However, we face persistent challenges in stunting and micronutrient deficiencies and the need to align policies and scale actions with rapid population growth,” he noted.
Bagudu, represented by Dr Sampson Ebimaro, Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, emphasised the need to review progress, it’s impact and priorities nutrition related interventions on the nation’s development agenda.
He reaffirmed government commitment to enhance the resilience of agricultural system and enhance steady supply of nutritious food.
“Let us all be reminded that attaining optimal nutritional status for all Nigeria in the face of the ever challenging climate change is our collective responsibility.
“We all have responsibility to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive and thrive,” he said.
Uju Rochas-Anwukah, Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, stressed the need to prioritise nutrition interventions to strengthen nutrition outcomes in the country.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Abbatta, Director, Nutrition Information System, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stressed the need to proffer practical solutions that would address malnutrition in the country.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA