The Federal Government has pledged to strengthen the implementation of the Nutrition 774 (N774) Initiative across all 774 local government areas of the country as part of renewed efforts to tackle malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant women and vulnerable households.
The government also plans to begin working with at least two states with some of Nigeria’s highest malnutrition burdens to accelerate the implementation of the initiative at the grassroots.
The commitment emerged from a three-day Ethiopia–Nigeria Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and attended by state governors, federal ministers and other senior government officials.
The Nigerian delegation examined Ethiopia’s approach to combating malnutrition, with discussions focusing on coordinated government interventions, sustainable financing, accountability and effective delivery of nutrition programmes at the community level.
Shettima said the lessons from the exchange would be adapted to Nigeria’s circumstances to strengthen cooperation among the federal, state and local governments and improve nutrition outcomes for families.
He said the success of the engagement would depend on translating the knowledge acquired into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians, particularly women and children.
According to him, better nutrition is essential to human capital development, productivity and economic growth, requiring governments at all levels to work together to address the factors contributing to malnutrition.
The initiative comes amid growing recognition that tackling malnutrition requires more than healthcare interventions. Food security, agricultural productivity, household income, education, access to clean water, sanitation and social protection are also critical to improving nutrition outcomes.
The delegation included representatives of the federal ministries responsible for health and social welfare, budget and economic planning, education, water resources and sanitation, and agriculture and food security.
Also represented were the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Big Win Philanthropy partnered with the Nigerian government on the exchange.
Governors at the forum discussed how Ethiopia’s experience could help their states strengthen existing programmes and address challenges affecting vulnerable communities.
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal said insecurity had worsened the challenges confronting his state, including difficulties in feeding its population despite its agricultural potential.
He explained that disruptions to farming and livelihoods had made it increasingly difficult for communities to maintain adequate food supplies.
Lawal said the experience of other countries facing similar challenges could help Nigeria identify practical solutions, adding that insecurity should not define the future of Zamfara or prevent the state from addressing malnutrition.
His remarks highlighted the link between insecurity, food production and access to nutritious food, particularly in communities where conflict disrupts farming, displaces households and limits access to essential services.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti also welcomed the initiative, saying its lessons would guide implementation across the state’s 17 local government areas, 184 wards and communities.
Otti said nutrition interventions should prioritise people who remained vulnerable to poverty despite broader efforts to improve economic performance, create jobs and raise household incomes.
He noted that while economic reforms could help lift many people out of poverty, targeted interventions were still necessary for households unable to benefit immediately from economic growth.
Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi said his administration would build on existing programmes to improve children’s nutritional status.
He cited the state’s Masaka initiative and a programme known as Tom Brown, through which about 600 women had been trained and provided with materials to produce nutritious food for children.
Namadi said the N774 Initiative could strengthen such home-grown interventions and expand their impact across communities.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke said his administration already had programmes focused on the nutritional needs of children and pregnant women but was seeking additional knowledge and strategies to improve their effectiveness.
He said the exchange provided an opportunity for Nigerian states to learn from Ethiopia and strengthen existing interventions.
At the federal level, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced plans to work immediately with at least two states with some of the highest malnutrition burdens to begin implementing the initiative locally.
The planned engagement is expected to help translate the commitments made at the forum into practical interventions in areas facing significant nutrition challenges.
Ethiopian Health Minister Mekdes Daba commended Nigeria’s decision to extend the N774 Initiative across all local government areas, describing it as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to tackling malnutrition nationwide.
The forum ended with both countries reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation and knowledge-sharing on nutrition and development.
The success of Nigeria’s renewed drive will ultimately depend on sustained funding, effective coordination among the three tiers of government and the delivery of nutrition services to vulnerable families, particularly in communities affected by insecurity, poverty and food shortages.
