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Alarming! Nigeria rated 1st as most malnourished African nation, 2nd worldwide
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The United Nations Children’s Fund said Nigeria ranks first in Africa and second worldwide in the number of malnourished children.
The Chief of Nutrition for UNICEF Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, said this on Monday at the ongoing three-day collaborative meeting between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the state nutrition managers.
Hajeebhoy said, “When we look at Nigeria, we see that in Nigeria, we have between 35 and 45 million children under five years of age. Now, when we look at children and we say they are malnourished, if they’re not doing well, we say they are malnourished, and you have different types of malnutrition. You have about 12 million children who we say are stunted, which means they are short in terms of their height for their age.
“We have about nine million children who are wasted, which means they’re too thin for their height, and then we have about 24-25 million children who are anaemic, which means they do not have enough iron, or their blood is not healthy. So, with these numbers, Nigeria is number one in the continent and second in the world, after India. So in Nigeria, we need to all come together to address this issue, because if we address the issue in Nigeria, we address it for West Africa, we address it for the continent.”
She, however, said 43 million Nigerian children have received vitamin A supplements.
“During the maternal, newborn, child health week campaigns that were held in all the states of the country in May, June, July and August to deliver vitamin A supplementation, deworming tablets to children under five, iron, folic acid or multiple micronutrient supplements to pregnant women, I’m delighted to share that 43 million children receive vitamin A supplements this time. This is the first time in Nigeria we have had such a high number.
“We also see that all 36 states unlocked resources to get deworming tablets given to children. And 19 million children were reached with deworming tablets. We also see that over two million pregnant women receive supplements of either iron and folic acid or a multiple micronutrient tablet, and this is very important to enable them to be healthy and for the growth of their children.
“What I am hopeful for is that the next round of MNC week which will happen between mid-November and mid-December, that we can have the support from the states, mothers, fathers, grandparents, so that we can reach the same numbers in the second round. If we achieve this, then we will have achieved results for Nigeria, for West Africa, for the continent and the world,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Director and Head of the Nutrition Department, FMoHSW, Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, noted that efforts are being made by the Federal Government to check the progress made and prioritise activities that will improve nutrition in the country.
She said, “Nigeria has the highest burden in Africa and the second highest in the world but the government is collaborating with other stakeholders to change that narrative, and we have put in place quite several strategies.
“We have the coordination team through which we interact with stakeholders every quarter to find out what everyone is doing, and the challenges. We are also ensuring that this coordination that is being strengthened at the federal level, it’s also being strengthened at the state level.”
She added that the government was also building the capacity of providers and has trained over 2,000 master trainers on maternal infant and young child feeding practices.
“Right now, the Federal Government is supporting the states to plan for the training of the secondary facility providers on maternal and infant and young child feeding practices.
“What we need to see for nutrition is to leverage that momentum and make sure that every child is well nourished, especially during the first 1000 days of life.
“All stakeholders need to come together and invest in that age, because if we don’t, then we compromise the child for life,” she stated.
The Deputy Director, Nutrition, NPHCDA, Dr Ogechi Akalonu noted that there is a need for strategies for improving the nutritional status in the country.
She said, “It is a good meeting to ensure that nutrition is visible and top of the national agenda.
“So we need to come together to strategise on how best to improve the nutritional status of women and children.”
On his part, the Country Director, Nutrition International, Dr Osita Okonkwo emphasised the need to increase funding to ensure the implementation of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health campaigns.
Okonkwo, who was represented by the Programme Officer, Child Health and Nutrition, Junaidu Sani reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting the government in the implementation of the MNCH.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has approved a three-month extension of the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, shifting the deadline from June 30 to September 30, 2026.
The decision was taken during an emergency sitting held on Monday, as lawmakers moved swiftly to ensure the continued execution of capital projects captured in the national budget.
The legislation, which seeks to amend the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025, was designed to provide additional time for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to complete ongoing projects and fully utilise funds earmarked for capital expenditure.
In an unusually rapid legislative process, the bill passed through its first, second and third readings during the same plenary session after members suspended the relevant provisions of the House Standing Orders to facilitate its consideration.
Leading debate on the general principle of the bill, House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, said the extension was necessary as several capital projects captured in the 2025 budget had not been fully implemented.
He emphasised that the amendment was not intended to alter any provision of the budget but merely to extend its lifespan by three months to allow ongoing projects to be completed.
He said: “It is very straightforward. Because some aspects of the capital appropriation will not be fully implemented, if we do not extend the life of this particular law, it will have a very grave impact on the growth and development of the national economy.
“The purpose essentially is to extend the lifespan. We are not touching any part of the law. It is simply extending the lifespan from June 30, 2026 to September 30, 2026. I urge my colleagues to approve this so that we can continue with the work of developing and growing our economy and country”.
Presiding over the session, Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, acknowledged that the records provided by the Chairman House Committee on Appropriations and other relevant agencies revealed that implementation of the capital budget was yet to be completed.
“As you are aware, the 2025 budget was extended to June 30. From the records we received from the Chairman, Appropriations, and other relevant quarters, it is yet to be fully implemented. It is therefore in the best interest of this country and the National Assembly for us to extend the budget to September 30 to enable the Federal Government fulfil its obligations under the 2025 budget,” the Speaker said.
Following the adoption of the bill at second reading, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply where it had the clause by clause consideration of the bill, and approved the three clauses, explanatory memorandum and long title of the bill.
The committee subsequently reported back to plenary, where lawmakers adopted its recommendations and suspended House rules to allow the bill to be read a third time and passed the same day.
The accelerated passage reflects growing concern over the pace of implementation of key infrastructure and development projects, many of which require additional time to reach completion.
With the approval, government agencies now have until the end of September to execute projects funded under the capital component of the 2025 budget, a move expected to prevent disruptions to ongoing works and improve budget performance.
The extension is also aimed at ensuring that resources already allocated for development projects are effectively utilised before the capital budget expires.
With the passage of the amendment, federal ministries, departments and agencies now have an additional three months to implement capital projects and utilize funds appropriated under the 2025 budget.
Meanwhile, the House also announced changes in the leadership of some standing committees.
The appointments are as follows:
• Rep. Ali Madaki – Chairman House Committee on Special Duties
• Rep. Ali Isa J.C. – Chairman House Committee on Shipping Services,
• Rep. Pascal Agbodike – Chairman House Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),
• Rep. Kelechi Nwogu – Chairman House Committee on Hydrological Services
The Speaker urged the newly appointed committee chairmen to assume their responsibilities immediately and bring their legislative experience to bear in advancing the work of the House.
News
Day 4 of projects commissioning as President TInubu set to commission newly constructed Court of Appeal Building
President Tinubu will commission the newly constructed Court of Appeal (Abuja Division) Building today, 15/6/26 as FCT projects commissioning enters Day 4.
#FCTProjects2026
#RenewedHopeFCT
Plateau State commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, has revealed that the state recorded 11 confirmed cases of cholera, five deaths and 53 suspected cases.
Baamlong, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Jos, said the confirmed and suspected cases were reported in Pushit, Mangu 1 and Mangu 2 communities in Mangu local government area (LGA).
According to him, the state Ministry of Health is intensifying public health interventions to contain the outbreak, prevent further spread and reduce its impact on affected communities.
He explained that the state had taken decisive actions to control the outbreak and protect its citizens via the deployment of additional Response Teams (RRTs) to the affected wards, scaling up of treatment centres and isolation capacity and the emergency procurement of Rapid Diagnostic Tests Kits, intravenous fluids and essential drugs.
The Commissioner further said that the ministry had activated an Incident Management System (IMS), for a comprehensive and multi sectorial response to the outbreak.
“The activation of the IMS ensures a coordinated, efficient, and accountable response structure in line with national and international emergency response frameworks,” he said.
Baamlong explained that cholera was an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
He urged residents of Mangu LGA and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and take preventive measures, including drinking safe water, maintaining proper hand hygiene, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring proper waste disposal.
He also advised residents to promply report suspected cases of cholera to the nearest healthcare facility for immediate attention.
While reaffirming the state government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of residents, Baamlong called on development partners and other stakeholders to support ongoing response efforts.(NAN)
2025 Capital Budget Gets New Lease of Life as Reps Push Deadline to September
Day 4 of projects commissioning as President TInubu set to commission newly constructed Court of Appeal Building
Cholera Outbreak: Plateau Records 5 Deaths, 11 Confirmed Cases
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