Vice President Highlights High Returns on Nutrition Investment
At a high-level conference focused on mobilizing action against malnutrition in Northwest Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized the significant return on investment for nutrition programs. He stated that every dollar invested in nutrition yields a return of $23, one of the highest returns among any development interventions.
The conference, hosted by the Katsina State Government, the Northwest Governors Forum, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was held in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the World Bank, and other partners. The event aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for stronger political and financial commitments to address malnutrition in the region.
Malnutrition continues to threaten the lives of millions, particularly children and other vulnerable groups. Health facilities across the region report record levels of acute malnutrition, with admissions rising sharply in recent months. This conference offers a platform to align stakeholders’ understanding, strengthen collaboration, renew commitments, and identify what more must be done to scale up treatment and prevention programs effectively.
Speaking at the conference, Shettima, represented by Mrs Uju Rochas-Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Focal Person on Nutrition, said there is no more sacred duty of governance than ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry. He highlighted that malnutrition in Nigeria is a regrettable tragedy, with the costs of inaction being devastating.
“Beyond the human tragedy lies the economic one. An estimated $56bn is lost in human capital every year, equivalent to 12.2 per cent of our national income. These figures represent lost potential, unfulfilled dreams, and a cycle of poverty that undermines our development. But our task here today is not to despair.”
Shettima emphasized that the solutions to malnutrition are well-known, evidence-based, and cost-effective. Treating children affected by malnutrition saves lives, while preventing malnutrition allows them to grow, learn, and thrive. “No child can learn on an empty stomach,” he added.
Therefore, VP stated that nutrition must not be seen as a cost but as an investment. “It is the most strategic investment we can make in the future of our nation. Every dollar invested in nutrition yields a return of $23, one of the highest returns on investment for any development intervention. Investing in nutrition is investing in human capital, in the next generation, in those who will lead Nigeria’s future.”
Governor Reaffirms Commitment to Tackle Malnutrition
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to tackling the root causes of malnutrition. He emphasized that governors across the Northwest are implementing far-reaching reforms in various sectors to address the challenge effectively.
“Katsina has contributed N1bn as part of the Child Nutrition Fund, with UNICEF providing matching funds of N200m, N300m, and N500m in 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively,” Radda said. He added that the state government had outlined several strategies, including scaling up and modernizing Outpatient Therapeutic Programmes and stabilisation centres, as well as establishing local production capacity for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food.
“This will not only guarantee a consistent supply but also stimulate our local economy and create jobs for our teeming youths. We are also considering approval for six months of maternity leave to ensure mothers provide adequate care for their infants during the critical first six months of life,” he said.
The governor called on stakeholders to formulate concrete commitments toward addressing hunger as a key sustainable development priority in Nigeria.
Federal Government Strengthens Nutrition Efforts
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said malnutrition remained one of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigeria, particularly in the Northwest, where many children and families still struggle with access to adequate nutrition.
Pate, represented by Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of Nutrition in the FMoH&SW, noted that the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey revealed persistently high rates of wasting and stunting in the region, with some states exceeding emergency thresholds.
“While humanitarian interventions have mitigated the worst impacts, the underlying determinants — poverty, food insecurity, weak health systems, and low preventive services — will persist if we do not act now,” he said. He noted that the Federal Government had been scaling up both preventive and treatment measures, establishing 115 additional treatment sites nationwide between January and November 2025.
“Government alone cannot address the high burden of malnutrition. Effective tackling demands collective action from states, donors, and implementing partners. Each of us has a role to play,” Pate added.
MSF Highlights Scale of Malnutrition Crisis
The MSF Country Representative, Dr Ahmed Aldikhari, said Nigeria was the country where the organization treats the largest number of children affected by acute malnutrition globally. “In 2024 alone, we admitted nearly 300,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in our outpatient units across northern Nigeria — accounting for more than half of all MSF admissions worldwide,” he said.
He said the magnitude reflects both the high burden of malnutrition in Nigeria, particularly in the northern Sahelian regions, and the country’s demographic size. Aldikhari noted that while federal and state governments were strengthening their actions, they needed more support from partners given the scale and urgency of the challenge.
“We are gathered because we share a deep and common concern for the well-being of families and children across Northwest Nigeria. This conference offers a strategic platform to align understanding, strengthen collaboration, and renew commitments,” he said.