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Bukola Afeni
As part of efforts to reduce malnutrition in Nigeria, the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), in collaboration, with FHI 360 Alive & Thrive and other nutrition partners in Nigeria, has called on government to prioritize and increase budgetary allocation to nutrition in the 2024 budget.
According to the National Food and Consumption Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS), 2021 , 55 percent of children from age 6-23 months consume unhealthy foods.
CS-SUNN’s Trend Analysis of Nutrition Budget in Nigeria (2019-2022), highlight that only 0.47% of the national health budget was allocated to nutrition in 2022.
“The figure starkly contrasts with the recommendations from the World Bank for low and middle-income countries to allocate at least 5% of their health budget to nutrition interventions.:
The Nutrition stakeholders disclosed this during a Media Roundtable on Strengthening the Implementation of the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) with Focus on Increased Nutrition Funding and Reinforcing the Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) Marketing Code in Nigeria.
In a statement jointly signed by the Executive Secretary, CS-SUNN, Sunday Okoronkwo and the Country Representative/Project Director FHI 360 Alive & Thrive, Dr. Victor Ogbodo, the organizations emphasized the urgent need for increased nutrition funding and the reinforcement of the Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) marketing Code in Nigeria.
The media roundtable is aimed at enhancing the implementation of the NMPFAN.
“The organizations said the 2024 budget, should include dedicated domestic resources for the procurement and distribution of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), saying that adequate funding is the cornerstone for effective implementation of nutrition interventions”.
The National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) launched in 2021, is a comprehensive strategy aimed at tackling malnutrition in Nigeria through coordinated efforts across key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, social protection, water and sanitation, information and other key line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Without sustainable funding, the NMPFAN goals will remain out of reach, leaving millions of Nigerians, especially children, vulnerable to malnutrition and its devastating impacts.
The group urged the media, policymakers, development partners, the private sector, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to play critical role in improving nutrition outcomes in Nigeria.
They further called on the federal, state, and local governments to prioritize and increase budgetary allocation to nutrition in the 2024 budget
“Adequate funding is the cornerstone for effective implementation of nutrition interventions. We want dedicated domestic resources for the procurement and distribution of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements”.
The group urged the media to set issues around nutrition, especially the BMS Code and NMPFAN implementation as an agenda and amplify discussions around these issues.
” Media role in educating the public and holding stakeholders accountable through reporting is key to improving nutrition outcomes in Nigeria.”
“We urge development partners and the private sector to uphold sustained technical and financial support towards Nigeria’s nutrition programs. Your continued investment in nutrition interventions is crucial in supporting the government’s efforts towards the eradication of malnutrition.
“We call on all relevant sectors and stakeholders to adhere to the Marketing of Infant and Young Children Food and Other Designated Products Regulations 2019, to protect, support and promote exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria.”
CS-SUNN and FHI30 Alive and Thrive futher reaffirmed their commitment in mobilizing communities, civil society and demanding government accountability in implementing the NMPFAN, enforcing the BMS Code and Other Designated Products Regulations 2019.
“We call on all stakeholders to take immediate and decisive action towards improved nutrition policy implementation and the BMS marketing code enforcement.
“We must leverage the power of collaboration, public accountability, and sustained financial commitment to address the malnutrition crisis in Nigeria”.
