Chukwu Obinna 
KADUNA — More than 30,000 children suffering severe acute malnutrition receive treatment across Kaduna State this year, even as officials admit that twice that number are admitted for care, highlighting the scale of the crisis.
State Nutrition Officer Ramatu Musa says 60,193 children will be admitted under the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition programme across all 23 local councils in 2025.
“While treatment outcomes show progress, the burden remains overwhelming,” Ms Musa said during a stakeholder meeting in Kaduna.
She reports mixed indicators: stunting falls from 48.1 per cent to 40.7 per cent, but wasting rises to 5.9 per cent, while underweight cases increase to 24.7 per cent.
Despite setbacks, Kaduna emerges as the best-performing North-West state in the latest National Demographic and Health Survey.
Ms. Musa warns that inactive local nutrition committees, funding gaps and limited programme coverage continue to undermine progress, with only 64 per cent of wards offering IMAM services.
She calls for stronger political leadership, expanded financing and urgent community-level interventions.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 