Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has highlighted the alarming economic cost of malnutrition in the country, estimated at USD 56 billion annually, equivalent to 12.2% of Nigeria’s Gross National Income (GNI).
This revelation came at the end of a high-level dialogue in Abuja on Friday, where stakeholders reaffirmed their commitments to advance nutrition in Nigeria through the federal government’s N774 Initiative.
The stakeholders identified major challenges promoting malnutrition in Nigeria, including inadequate funding, weak food systems, and climate change.
In a communiqué, they emphasized the need to address these challenges and improve nutrition outcomes. The stakeholders resolved to establish nutrition departments with dedicated budget lines across 12 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) by 2028.
The meeting also agreed to prioritize the implementation of the minimum package of nutrition services at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level and expand access to social safety-net programs.
As Sen. Bagudu noted, “The enormous economic cost of malnutrition on the Nigerian economy is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.”
The stakeholders’ resolutions aim to address malnutrition in all its forms by 2026 and achieve universal health coverage for all Nigerians by 2028.
