Oyo State Partners with UNICEF and US Government to Combat Malnutrition
The Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Government, has launched a comprehensive nutrition intervention programme aimed at preventing malnutrition among pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children in 20 local government areas across the state.
This initiative, unveiled during a stakeholders' meeting in Ibadan, focuses on the critical first 1,000 days of life—from conception to a child's second birthday. According to UNICEF Nutrition Manager in Nigeria, Sumit Karn, the one-year programme is designed to enhance child growth, brain development, and learning outcomes through nutrition-specific interventions. These include promoting breastfeeding, vitamin supplementation, food fortification, and improved infant feeding practices at the community level.
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, noted that the state has made progress in reducing chronic malnutrition among children, with stunting declining from 34.7% before 2023 to 23.4% following intensified nutrition interventions. However, she expressed concern over the rise in severe acute malnutrition, which increased from 1.8% to 14.4%. She attributed this trend to poor infant and young child feeding practices at the household level and stressed the need for greater awareness on early and exclusive breastfeeding.
The commissioner announced that the state will begin distributing Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS) to children aged six months to two years, procured through UNICEF with funds from the US Government. Additionally, ready-to-use therapeutic foods will be provided for children already suffering from acute malnutrition, and multiple micronutrient supplements have been secured for pregnant women to prevent anaemia and other complications.
Ajetunmobi warned against the diversion of these nutrition products, emphasizing that they are not for sale and must be used only for intended beneficiaries. An anti-diversion committee comprising officials from NAFDAC, the National Orientation Agency, Amotekun Corps, the police, and the Ministry of Justice has been established to monitor distribution.
Dr. Muyideen Olatunji, Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, described the grant as recognition of the state's healthcare delivery efforts and expressed optimism that the programme will improve maternal and child health outcomes. Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Oyo State, Sikiru Sanda, assured that local councils will ensure transparent distribution of supplements across benefiting communities.
The programme, which continues on Thursday, is expected to strengthen nutrition indicators and reinforce efforts to tackle malnutrition at the grassroots level across the state.
