UNICEF has issued a call to action for government bodies at all levels and relevant stakeholders to augment their financial commitments to nutrition initiatives in order to address the issue of malnutrition among Nigerian children.
This plea was made by Ms. Nkeiru Enwelum, UNICEF’s Nutrition Officer, during a two-day media dialogue held in Port Harcourt, focusing on the theme “Nutrition Financing in Nigeria.”
Ms. Enwelum’s presentation, titled “Nutrition Situation in Nigeria: An Overview of Malnutrition in Nigeria and Its Impact on Children,” highlighted the urgent need for increased funding to support awareness campaigns in remote regions and provide critical assistance to severely malnourished children across the nation.
Citing data from the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey, she emphasized that approximately 12 million out of Nigeria’s 35 million under-five children suffered from stunted growth due to malnutrition.
UNICEF Communication Specialist, Mr. Geoffrey Njoku, reiterated the primary objective of the dialogue, which is to identify funding gaps within both national and state budgets, with the aim of comprehensively addressing child malnutrition throughout the country.
Addressing the Malnutrition Challenge: Ms. Enwelum highlighted the alarming statistic that one in three Nigerian children experiences stunted growth, further categorizing various forms of malnutrition, including acute malnutrition, severe wasting, stunting, and obesity.
She explained that stunting is considered a chronic form of malnutrition, as it develops over an extended period. She underscored that the consequences of stunting can lead to developmental delays and hinder cognitive growth.
Furthermore, Ms. Enwelum revealed that Nigeria held the top position in Africa for data related to malnourished children and ranked second globally. She shared additional statistics, stating that nearly one million people faced acute food insecurity, with approximately 17.7 million individuals experiencing hunger in Nigeria.
In her words: “The states most affected by food insecurity in Nigeria are Kano and Lagos. However, malnutrition is a pervasive issue across the country, impacting people in other regions.” “Some of the health conditions and bodily dysfunctions resulting from malnutrition include micronutrient deficiency, anemia, rickets, and vitamin A deficiency.”
To effectively address this challenge, Ms. Enwelum stressed the critical importance of implementing preventive measures, interventions, and strategies to combat malnutrition. She advocated for ensuring children’s access to nutritious food and essential supplements, such as vitamin A supplements, emphasizing that prevention is more cost-effective than treatment.
She called for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving government bodies, various sectors, and stakeholders to deliver comprehensive nutrition interventions and prioritize the well-being of children. Additionally, she urged an assessment of progress within the health sector, noting that Nigeria was making significant strides in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the realm of exclusive breastfeeding, with the potential to meet the target by 2030.
