By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Health to submit comprehensive information on the federal government’s and donor agencies’ nutrition interventions aimed at combating malnutrition in Nigeria.
Chairman Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor during a budget defense session eemphasised the need for detailed figures for 2024 and clear projections for 2025, including an overview of contributions from 27 development partners.
Members of the committee also questioned duplications in budgeted nutrition supplies, stressing the importance of transparency and effective utilization of resources to address the nation’s nutrition challenges.
The Ministry, led by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, proposed ₦2.9 billion for nutrition interventions in the 2025 budget, focusing on therapeutic supplies and expanding successful community-based programs. Efforts to reduce reliance on imported therapeutic foods and promote local manufacturing were also highlighted.
The committee underscored the need for effective collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to ensure better nutrition outcomes across the country.