The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), in collaboration with national and international nutrition stakeholders, has successfully concluded the 2025 National Nutrition Dialogue held from 24th–25th November 2025 at Rockview Hotel, Abuja. 

The two-day dialogue brought together 196 participants, including representatives from the Office of the Vice President, MDAs, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, development partners, academia, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, youth networks, communities, and the media.

The Dialogue opened with a welcome address by Mrs. Clementina Okoro, Director of Nutrition, representing the Acting Permanent Secretary of FMBEP. She emphasized the need for sustained nutrition education, increased public awareness on the dangers of malnutrition, and collective action under the theme:

“Sustainable Nutrition for a Healthier and Productive Nigeria.”

A brief historical insight into the National Nutrition Week was presented by Prof. Ngozi Nnam, highlighting its evolution since 2012.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Steel Development, underscored the vital link between nutrition and economic productivity. He called for improved coordination, data-driven decision-making, and stronger alignment of nutrition efforts across all levels of government.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, represented by Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, formally launched the Nutrient Profile of Selected Nigerian Dishes and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving maternal and child health, strengthening food systems, and building climate-resilient nutrition interventions.

Representatives of the Office of the Vice President, MDAs, and development partners delivered goodwill messages reaffirming their support to national nutrition priorities.

Across the two-day event, panel discussions and plenary presentations explored key issues such as coherent nutrition policies, multisectoral data coordination, financing for nutrition, research translation, food systems resilience, and the role of youth and communities in driving nutrition outcomes.

Participants at the event agreed on several strategic actions, including:

Clear definition of MDAs’ roles in the new national nutrition policy to reduce overlap and enhance efficiency.

Strengthened coordination led by FMBEP across all levels.

Capacity building for MDAs to develop sector-specific nutrition plans aligned with national priorities.

Expanded stakeholder engagement, especially youth, women, religious and traditional leaders, to improve ownership and acceptance.

Sustainable financing mechanisms, including tax incentives for producers of nutritious foods and clear budget commitments for short- and long-term interventions.

Improved data utilization for advocacy, planning, monitoring, and accountability, with harmonized data systems and enhanced accessibility of research findings.

Prioritization of high-impact interventions targeting vulnerable households, with resource allocation guided by demographic and population data.

Promotion of diversified diets and consumption of nutrient-rich indigenous foods.

Private sector incentives to expand local production of nutrition commodities.

Support for youth participation and community-level engagement in nutrition programs.

Strengthened collaboration among researchers and development of standardized tools to improve nutrition research quality.

Training for the media on specialized nutrition reporting.

Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to translating the outcomes of the 2025 National Nutrition Dialogue into actionable policies, well-funded programs, and measurable results that will enhance nutrition, health, and productivity across Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, development partners, and communities were urged to uphold these commitments with transparency, urgency, and sustained collaboration.