Hussain Umar
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has urged stakeholders to place nutrition at the heart of the nation’s development agenda or risk undermining the health, productivity and future potential of Nigerians.
The Director of Nutrition Department in the Ministry, Dr. Ladidi Bako made the call at the fifth-anniversary celebration of the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) held in Abuja, with the theme ‘5 Years of Practice and Learning’.
Delivering the keynote address entitled ‘Nutrition and Equity in a Changing Nigeria’, Dr. Bako said the country was already grappling with rapid social and economic transitions that were creating deeper inequalities, weakening food systems and exposing millions of vulnerable Nigerians to worsening malnutrition.
“Nutrition is not just about food on the table. It is the foundation of our human capital,” she said. “If we fail to address malnutrition now, we will continue to recycle poverty from one generation to the next.”
She decried that despite years of interventions, Nigeria continues to face a triple burden of malnutrition; stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies, with severe long-term consequences on the economy.
Citing data from the 2024 NDHS, she noted that 40% of children under five are stunted, describing the figure as “a national emergency hiding in plain sight.”
“A stunted child today becomes a stunted adult tomorrow,” she warned. “Brain capital is the new crude oil. Nations rise or fall on the strength of their people’s minds.”
She noted that malnutrition reflects inequity, hitting hardest in the North‑East and North‑West, among women, adolescents, people with disabilities, and urban slum dwellers.
Dr Bako also emphasised that rising food prices, urbanisation, climate shocks and changing diets are increasing vulnerabilities across rural and urban communities.
She called for stronger safety nets, smarter policies, and a unified multi‑sectoral approach, urging government, civil society, and the private sector to make nutrition a national priority across all sectors.
“Equity must be intentional,” she said. “If we fail to plan for the most vulnerable, they will continue to be left behind. Nigeria needs our courage, our compassion and our commitment now more than ever.”
While commending ongoing Federal Government initiatives, including policy reviews, food fortification, cold chain expansion and cash transfers, she warned that poor coordination, limited funding and weak implementation continue to undermine progress.
“If we build infrastructure but fail to build the human mind, we are building an empty shell of a nation,” she cautioned.
Earlier, the Chairman of the C-WINS Board of Trustees, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Argungu, Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, represented by the Vice Chairman, Dr Ado Muhammad said the organization supported the Measles-Rubella campaign, that reached 56 million children with 99% coverage and integrated child survival interventions across 145 LGAs.
“These achievements reflect a clear vision to support communities and improve access to essential services,” he stated.
The Chairperson of the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), Dr Mustapha Lecky reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to expanding universal access to essential health services and lauded C-WINS for its trust, teamwork and leadership.
Representative of CHESTRAD Global, Dr Lola Dare described C-WINS as a powerful symbol of courage, innovation and purpose and urged the organisation to continue to amplify community voices and build lasting systems of care.
“Nigeria needs your courage, your compassion, your evidence and your humility,” she said. “May the burden of leadership always return to you as the joy of service.”
