The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling food and nutrition insecurity across Nigeria by strengthening grassroots nutrition governance through the implementation of the Nutrition 774 (N774) Initiative.
Speaking at the 2-day Stakeholders’ Workshop on the N774 Initiative held in Niger State, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the need for strategic actions and collaborative leadership in addressing malnutrition at the local government level. Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, the Minister noted that the workshop provided a crucial platform for stakeholders to develop practical pathways to improve nutrition outcomes across the country.
According to Bagudu, the Ministry is working closely with the Office of the Vice President to ensure effective implementation of the framework at both national and sub-national levels. He also recognized the vital role of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in driving policy advocacy and fostering multi-sectoral partnerships.
In his opening remarks, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, stated:
“Towards sustainable human development under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the N774 Initiative is a strategic response to one of the gravest but least visible challenges confronting Nigeria – malnutrition. This is not just a health challenge but an economic impediment and a silent threat to national security.”
He emphasized that the initiative anchors its efforts at the grassroots, where the impact of malnutrition is most pronounced, and charged local government leaders with the responsibility of institutionalizing nutrition governance.
Also speaking, ALGON National President, Engr. Hon. Bello Lawal, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the initiative, which aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He pledged ALGON’s support in developing the N774 Implementation Framework and Roadmap, advocating for local nutrition budget lines, and coordinating awareness campaigns for state and local government chairmen.
Commending the initiative, Chief of Nutrition at UNICEF Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, praised the leadership of the Vice President’s Office, the Budget Ministry, and ALGON-NEC. She stressed that Nigeria plays a pivotal role in the global fight against hunger and emphasized the significance of decentralizing nutrition governance.
“The Nutrition 774 Initiative offers a unique opportunity to decentralize action, strengthen local financing, and deliver measurable, community-level impact,” she noted.
She highlighted Jigawa State’s Masaki Programme as a model of success, recommending that ALGON and the Office of the Vice President undertake a learning visit to replicate similar community-driven approaches nationwide.
During zonal presentations, the North-West zone reported the appointment of technical nutrition focal persons, establishment of budget lines in all LGAs, and strengthened monitoring and evaluation systems. The South-West zone detailed initiatives in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), including private sector engagement in toilet construction and anti-open defecation laws. They also outlined plans to integrate nutrition education into primary school curricula and promote school-based nutrition programs by early 2026.
The workshop was sponsored by UNICEF Nigeria, Helen Keller International, and the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN). Representatives from MDAs, the UK Government, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) were also in attendance.
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