The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has warned that Nigeria must urgently prioritise dietetics and nutrition to tackle rising cases of malnutrition, obesity, diabetes and other diet-related diseases threatening the nation’s health and productivity.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 17th Scientific Conference and National Workshop of the Dietitians Association of Nigeria (DAN) in Abuja, Mahmoud said nutrition has become a critical pillar of healthcare, disease prevention and national development.
Represented by her Special Assistant on Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Junaidu Yakubu Muhammad, the minister said Nigeria is battling a double burden of persistent undernutrition and food insecurity, alongside an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases.
“Nigeria’s nutritional landscape presents us with a double burden that demands urgent and coordinated action. While millions still grapple with undernutrition and food insecurity, we are also witnessing a worrying rise in obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other diet-related diseases,” she said.
According to Mahmoud, the situation demands greater investment in nutrition, preventive healthcare and professional dietetic services to improve the health of Nigerians.
She stressed that dietitians have gone beyond providing hospital support services and now play vital roles as educators, researchers, advocates and key partners in achieving better health outcomes.
“Dietetics is no longer a peripheral component of healthcare. It is central to disease prevention, health promotion, recovery and the building of healthier societies,” she stated.
The minister noted that good nutrition is essential for quality education, maternal and child survival, workforce productivity and economic growth, warning that no nation can attain sustainable development while neglecting the nutritional wellbeing of its people.
“A healthy nation is not built by hospitals and medicines alone. It is also built through sound nutrition, preventive care and deliberate investments in the wellbeing of citizens,” she added.
Mahmoud reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike to improving healthcare delivery and promoting the wellbeing of residents.
She also commended the Dietitians Association of Nigeria for promoting scientific research, mentorship and professional development aimed at strengthening nutrition practice in the country.
In her remarks, National President of the Dietitians Association of Nigeria, Prof. Olivia Afam-Anene, called for stronger collaboration, innovation and sustainability to confront Nigeria’s worsening nutrition crisis.
Represented by Prof. Ogechi Nzeagwu, she warned that poor nutrition continues to fuel disability, reduce productivity, increase healthcare costs and slow national development.
She further noted that insecurity, displacement, climate change and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened malnutrition, especially among vulnerable Nigerians.
Afam-Anene reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting professional excellence through continuous training, accreditation and adherence to global best practices.
