Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Kano State Government has released N500 million in counterpart funding under the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) to scale up sustainable financing programs and improve the supply of essential nutrition commodities aimed at tackling malnutrition in the state.
The CNF, a global initiative supporting countries with high rates of child malnutrition, matches government investments to accelerate efforts in preventing, detecting, and treating malnutrition.
The Executive Secretary of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo, disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II. The delegation included nutrition partners such as Alive & Thrive and UNICEF, as well as Kano State officials.
Okoronkwo highlighted that Kano mirrors Nigeria’s national malnutrition crisis, citing data from the 2023-24 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), which indicates that 51.9% of Nigerian children under five are stunted, 38.4% are underweight, and 10.4% suffer from wasting.
“With over 50% of children stunted, Kano is home to 3.4 million children under five, of whom 350,000 are wasted. These alarming figures represent lives affected by malnutrition, hindering growth, weakening immunity, and reducing productivity in adulthood,” Okoronkwo said.
The released funds will help boost Kano’s stock of critical nutrition supplies, including Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), Micronutrient Powder (MNP), and Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS). These interventions are expected to double the state’s capacity to treat, manage, and prevent malnutrition.
While commending the state government for its commitment, Okoronkwo stressed the need for sustained and timely funding, advocating for increased investment in the state’s Food and Nutrition Strategy. He also called for the establishment of Nutrition Departments across key ministries, the extension of paid maternity leave from three to six months, and the prompt approval and release of CNF funds.
The advocacy team urged the Emir to use his influence to unlock critical funding and mobilize action from policymakers.
In response, Emir Sanusi emphasized the importance of prioritizing child nutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life. He noted that current efforts are falling short at crucial stages—before conception, at birth, and during breastfeeding—and called for targeted interventions to address these gaps.
“As leaders, we must ensure the well-being of women and children in Kano. Addressing malnutrition is not just a health issue but a moral duty to safeguard the future of our children and empower our women,” Sanusi stated.
As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and the Nutrition Council, the Emir urged key stakeholders, including the state commissioners of finance, budget, and health, to prioritize nutrition funding.
The latest intervention by the Kano State Government and the Emir’s advocacy mark a crucial step toward tackling the region’s malnutrition crisis. However, experts stress that sustained political will and funding are essential to achieving long-term impact.
