…Directs MDAs to Prioritise Nutrition in their Plans

By Emmanuel Elebeke – Abuja

The Federal Government of has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the country’s human capital and improving the quality of life for all citizens.

This promise was made by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President,  Sen. Ibrahim Adejo, at a two-day workshop organized by UNICEF and Nutrition International to review and finalise the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Nutrition 774 Initiative.

He said it was because of the importance attached to nutrition by the present administration that nutrition is prioritized in the national development agenda.

Adejo said the government’s focus on nutrition is a key aspect of its human capital development agenda, leading to planned decentralisation of nutrition policy to all tires of government.

“The Nutrition 774 Initiative, which prioritizes high-impact interventions at the grassroots level, is a crucial part of this effort. This initiative demonstrates the government’s recognition of the importance of nutrition in driving economic growth and development.”

To achieve its human capital development goals, he said that the government has also directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize nutrition in their plans.

 This move, according to him is expected to have a positive impact on the overall well-being of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable populations such as women and children.

The World Bank has also shown support for Nigeria’s human capital development efforts, approving a $1.57 billion loan to support the government’s initiatives in health, education, and social protection. This loan will be used to fund projects such as the Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Programme, which aims to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system by enhancing infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and boosting service delivery.

“The Nutrition 774 Initiative offers us a clear framework to do just that. It focuses on delivering high-impact interventions at the grassroots level. But here is the key: while the government leads this effort, this isn’t a government-only project. It is a shared responsibility that demands the active participation of everyone—federal, state, and local governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society, academia, and the media.”

He underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving the set goals on nutrition and charged all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, private sector and CSOs  to prioritise nutrition in all their plans.

“Each of you plays a critical role, and in order for this initiative to succeed, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must prioritize nutrition in their plans and budgets; the Legislature must provide the relevant oversight and ensure adequate budgetary allocation for nutrition; development partners and donors must align their support to ensure sustainability and avoid duplication; the private sector and civil society must bring innovative solutions and hold us accountable; and state and local governments must empower communities to take ownership of these interventions. 

“Success will require strong coordination, transparency, and accountability at all levels. As we finalize the SOP during this workshop, we are laying down a blueprint for action. It will guide how we deliver interventions that are data-driven, community center, and aligned across sectors and tiers of government.”

“Our success will not be measured by how beautiful our policies are on paper but by the real-life impact we bring to our communities—the reduction in stunting, 

healthier mothers and children, and communities that are truly empowered to sustain these gains for generations. 

“The path ahead will require dedication, collaboration, and consistency. But I believe we are up to the task. Let us embrace this initiative with a sense of shared responsibility and ownership,” he added.

On her remarks, the representative of all partners,  Dr. Halima A. said Nigeria is on track in achieving most the SDGs.

She urged that Nigeria should leverage on the direct funding to the Local Governments to allocate more.funds to nutrition.

In his Goodwill message, the Chairman, House Committee committee on nutrition and food security of the House of Representative and the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, described the N-774 Initiative as laudable, and presents an opportunity for effective collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature. 

He said food insecurity and malnutrition are now becoming a serious threat to national security, because an angry mob can hardly be pacified. And in a bid to address these issues holistically and strategically with a bottom-top, multi-stakeholder approach, his committee held an inaugural retreat with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, as well as development partners in Owerri from May 2-4, 2024 to  proceed lasting solution to the menace.

“Food insecurity and malnutrition are becoming  threats to national security, because an angry mob with empty stomachs can hardly be pacified, neither are they amenable to logical discussion and negotiation. Such are easily recruited as thugs in exchange for food. These, among other reasons underscores the importance my committee, and the network attaches to addressing this twin challenge through a legislative perspective anchored on increased domestic resource mobilization through appropriation, review and harmonization of existing laws, and strategic oversight. 

“It was after a stakeholders meeting that the National Legislative Network was conceived, and later birthed on July 22, 2024 when the Rt. Hon. Speaker inaugurated the Network.”

“Presently, we are strengthening the committees on Nutrition and Food Security in the 36 state Houses of Assembly in a phased approach, to enable them play leading role in programmatic oversight of the initiative at Local Government Level to ensure accountability and transparency, value for money.  They will also ensure that the Local Government Councils make significant budgetary allocations for Nutrition specific  and Nutrition sensitive interventions at the community level, while also serving as rallying points for community mobilization for participation in Nutrition activities at grassroots level through their various local outreach programs.”

The Permanent Secretary, Federal ministry of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Vitalis Obi stressed the importance of stakeholder’s collaboration and charged participants at the workshop to come up with.a holistic and acceptable document that would address the nutrition needs of Nigeria.

The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Jigawa State, Mallam Jaheed Ali said the way forward is for all state governments and Local Government Chairmen to be carried along and that what is remaining is for the private sector to pursue the private sector buy in in the campaign against malnutrition.

The workshop was a gathering of policy makers, nutrition experts, development partners, law makers, and Civil Society Organisations to review and finalize the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Nutrition 774 Initiative.

At the end of the workshop, it is expected that a comprehensive guide that will move Nigeria closer to its goals will be produced. The document will serve as a guidance tool for sub-national implementing MDAs, especially at the Local Government Councils to enable them streamline their activities for easy monitoring and evaluation.