Government officials and health experts have pinpointed widespread poverty, exacerbated by insecurity and soaring food prices, as the root cause of Nigeria's worsening malnutrition crisis. The stark revelation came during the opening of the 2025 National Nutrition Week dialogue in Abuja, organized by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The Core Issue: Affordability, Not Availability
Participants at the high-level meeting stressed a critical distinction: the persistent rise in malnutrition is not due to a lack of food but the inability of millions of Nigerians to afford a nutritious, balanced diet. Rampant inflation has pushed essential foods out of reach for ordinary citizens. Furthermore, pervasive insecurity, particularly in farming regions, has severely disrupted agricultural activities, creating scarcity and driving costs even higher.
The statistics presented paint a dire picture of the national emergency. As of October 2025, approximately 5.4 million children under the age of five in Nigeria's North-West and North-East regions are suffering from acute malnutrition. A breakdown shows that 1.8 million of these children have severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition, while 3.6 million are moderately acutely malnourished. The crisis also extends to around 800,000 pregnant and lactating women.
Government Pledges and Strategic Calls
In a welcome address delivered on his behalf by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, outlined the government's vision. This year's theme, "Sustainable Nutrition for a Healthier and Productive Nigeria," underscores the direct link between proper nutrition, a capable workforce, and a resilient economy. Senator Bagudu called for nutrition to be maintained as a cross-cutting priority in all national development plans.
The Minister emphasized the administration's commitment to a multi-faceted approach. This strategy aims to combine sustainable agricultural practices, climate-smart technologies, and robust social protection programmes to safeguard the nation's food systems and improve nutritional outcomes for all citizens.
Experts Demand Data, Coordination, and Collaboration
Other stakeholders highlighted specific gaps in the fight against malnutrition. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas-Anwukah, stressed the urgent need for accurate data collection, greater involvement from the private sector, and well-coordinated efforts to prevent wasteful duplication of interventions.
Dr. Chris OsaIsokpunwu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, underscored the gravity of the situation with even broader figures. He noted that malnutrition rates are deteriorating nationally, with an estimated 2.5 to 3 million children severely malnourished and about 15 million suffering from stunted growth. He urged all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, improve data gathering mechanisms, and enhance overall coordination.
Echoing the call for better implementation, Abatta Emmanuel, Director of the Nutrition Information System at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stated that clear, defined roles for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are essential for effective policy execution and tangible results.
