11 million underage children experiencing food poverty in Nigeria – UNICEF

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf during the handover of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) procured through a joint government and UNICEF efforts

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Data by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that about 11 million children under the age experience severe child food poverty, making them up to 50 per cent more likely to experience wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition.

UNICEF also declared that in Kano, over  51.9% (one out of two) of children are stunted or are not growing well, while over 10 per cent are wasted or too thin for their height.

The UNICEF Chief of Field Office Kano, Mr Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, stated this during the official handover of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) procured through a joint government and UNICEF Child Nutrition Marching Fund initiative held at Primary Healthcare Centre,  Takai Local Government Area.

Rahama, who was represented by UNICEF’s Health Manager, Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum Deres, said UNICEF achieved results in the area of food nutrition security crisis.

According to him, UNICEF defined child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood.

He said the definition is measured using the UNICEF and WHO dietary diversity score.

“We deliberately focus on early childhood (children under 5 years of age) because it is a period of uniquely high nutritional requirements and the most sensitive period for physical growth and brain development for all children, both in times of stability and crisis.

“With the window of opportunity still open for the Child Nutrition Match Fund, I hereby request His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, to: Release more resources in 2025, which UNICEF will also match to procure more commodities, especially RUTF and MMS through the CNF.

“Conduct the second round of MNCHW not later than early December 2025 and procure deworming tablets in sufficient quantities to reach all children 12-59 months in the state. Approve six months paid maternity leave in the state to protect infant health and nutrition and support exclusive breastfeeding,” he said.

He further stated that UNICEF and development partners have made huge investments in improving the country and Kano State’s nutrition situation over the years, and the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is one programme making tremendous progress.

Seyoum hinted that Kano state is the first state in Nigeria with the highest singular contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund, with the release of N500 million, which to date is the highest single funding by a State in Nigeria.

He added that, “UNICEF matched the Government fund with an additional N500 million. The fund pooled together procured 12,948 cartons of RUTF.

“The therapeutic food will treat over 17,000 severely malnourished children.

UNICEF had also provided adequate quantities of Vitamin A supplements and MMS for the first round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, to reach children 6-59 months and pregnant women respectively.

” UNICEF will continue to partner with the state and work across key sectors to improve nutrition and health outcomes of indigenes of Kano state, including women and children.”

Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf lauded UNICEF’s partnership with the state.

He said: “Our commitment to saving lives and improving the health and well-being of our dear populace remains steadfast. Let me say that malnutrition is one of the major health challenges being faced, not only in the state but in the entire country.

” I am, therefore, very happy to say that for the first time, all our 44 Local Government Areas have one form of nutrition intervention or the other. Let me say that within the period under review, we have provided equipment, consumables, other commodities and even staff training for CMA establishment and reactivation.

“Secondly, I am also pleased to announce that through the collaboration of the UNICEF, we have procured life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic food RUTF worth N1 billion. This food, meant for the children, is for the benefit of all the malnourished children. The distribution of this food will therefore be carefully monitored by the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, including the traditional rulers, religious and community leaders across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

“It is our belief that this type of intervention will drastically reduce the worrisome indices of malnutrition, especially stunting will be reversed and that each child in Kano will have a well-nourished growth and development process.

“At this point in time, I want to extend our special appreciation to UNICEF for their understanding, support and other commitments towards assisting the children, especially those from the vulnerable families across the state and by extension this country.

“More grace to the management and staff of the UNICEF, as well as all the other donor and development partners that I have mentioned earlier.”

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