The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has asked the Ministry of Health to provide clear details about the nutrition programs being carried out by the government and donor agencies to fight malnutrition in Nigeria.
Rep. Chike Okafor, the Chairman of the Committee, made the request during a budget defense session with the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom. Okafor said the committee needs detailed information on nutrition activities for 2024, as well as clear plans for 2025. He also asked for a full report on the help received from 27 development partners, including any funding, products, or services they have provided. Okafor stressed that all spending needs to be in line with constitutional requirements for reviewing government budgets.
Okafor pointed out that some foreign partners, especially, set out their contributions at the start of each year. He said the committee wants to see the specific contributions for 2025. He also raised concerns about the duplication of funding for certain nutrition products, such as vitamin A, which is provided by partners but also appears in project budgets.
Kachollom, the Permanent Secretary, said the Ministry has proposed ₦2.92 billion for nutrition-related projects in the 2025 budget. The funds are meant to cover important supplies like vitamins, iron, and folic acid, but not physical infrastructure. She explained that 11 states are currently taking part in the World Bank-funded Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project. This project focuses on community-based programs and has helped reduce malnutrition in various areas.
Kachollom also said that, with the proposed funds, the Ministry plans to expand efforts, including buying more nutrition products, training health workers, and working with NAFDAC and the Primary Healthcare Development Agency to ensure the quality of food fortification. She mentioned that three local companies are now producing Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), and the Ministry is working to grow this number to reduce dependence on imports.
She added that 32 states have set up nutrition committees, and the Ministry is working with them to improve the effectiveness of programs. Kachollom also called on the private sector to help with providing RUTF for children.
The Committee praised the Ministry’s work and emphasized that it is crucial for the funds and interventions to be properly used to tackle malnutrition and improve nutrition in Nigeria.
