By Chioma Obinna & Peace Ezenwamma

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to tackle malnutrition in Nigeria through a multisectoral strategy that includes food fortification, community detection systems, and behavioral change campaigns.

Speaking during the 2025 First National Fortification Alliance, NFA, Meeting in Lagos, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate emphasised that the fight against malnutrition cannot be carried out by the health sector alone.

Represented by the Director and Head of Nutrition in the Ministry, Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, he said: “Nutrition is a multisectoral issue. The Ministry of Health is implementing the National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition, which aligns with the broader multisectoral plan adopted across sectors.”

He disclosed that the government is addressing both prevention and treatment. “In treating malnutrition, we’ve deployed systems for early detection. Through active community outreach, volunteers assess under-five children using a color-coded tool – green for healthy, yellow for moderate, and red for severe malnutrition,” he explained.

According to him, children identified as malnourished are referred to trained health workers at designated centers, while families are linked to economic empowerment programmes. “Poverty is a major driver. That’s why we connect households to cash transfer schemes and income-generating projects through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs,” she added.

On the preventive front, Ali- Pate revealed that over 9,500 health workers have been trained in 36 states and the FCT to counsel caregivers on proper feeding. Yet, she noted a gap: “Only 15 per cent of health facility users receive nutrition counselling. That’s why we are scaling up awareness using our social and behavior change strategy.”

She also highlighted ongoing fortification efforts: “We’ve added vitamin A to vegetable oil, sugar, and flour, and iodine to salt. Now, we’re engaging stakeholders to fortify bouillon cubes, consumed by 96 per cent of households, with four essential micronutrients.”

Speaking, the National Chairman, National Fortification Alliance (NFA), Mr. Fred Chiazor stressed the need for broader collaboration.

“We’ve come a long way over the past 20 years. Today, vehicles like flour, oil, and sugar are mandatorily fortified. But we need media, academia, and NGOs to bring their weight behind this.”

Chiazor stressed the importance of expanding reach to rural populations. “They are the most vulnerable. Fortifying commonly consumed foods like bouillon cubes and rice will ensure equitable access to vital nutrients. A healthy populace is a healthy nation.”

He urged all sectors to contribute to achieving food and nutrition security for every Nigerian.
Also, speaking, the representative of the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Jessica Nworgu reaffirmed the association’s commitment to food fortification, describing it as both a national duty and a corporate social responsibility.

She said the support of the National Fortification Alliance (NFA) has transformed the industry’s approach.

“Initially, fortification felt mandatory. But with the NFA, we’ve become true partners. They understand our challenges and work with us to resolve them. That makes compliance easier and meaningful.”

Nworgu explained that flour millers are involved in fortifying three major food vehicles—flour, oil, and sugar—highlighting their daily use by Nigerians. “Our mantra is feeding the nation nutritious food every day. Whether it’s bread, noodles, or pap, fortified flour is part of it. If you cook with oil or sweeten with sugar, you’re also accessing vital micronutrients,” she stated.

She further stressed the need for greater public awareness. “The biggest challenge now is that people don’t know the benefits of fortified foods. Instead, they opt for cheaper imports that may not be fortified, risking long-term health.”

Also speaking, the Acting Project Manager at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Adetola Otunla, expressed concern stating that large-scale fortification is cost-effective and reaches the masses, adding that, “it only works if people understand its importance.”

She added; “Gain interest has been in this space for quite a long time. Our work basically is to support the food fortification process itself. We work around enabling environments for food fortification. We all know much about the statistics of how malnutrition is in Nigeria, especially with micronutrient deficiency, which is called hidden hunger. Gain’s aim is actually to ensure improved nutritional outcomes for all.

The stakeholders at the well –attended meeting called for stronger public education and tighter regulation to ensure the health benefits of fortification reach vulnerable groups across Nigeria.