Bagudu: FG Making Progress in Battle Against Hunger, Malnutrition

Bagudu: FG Making Progress in Battle Against Hunger, Malnutrition

Nigeria is making significant progress in its efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has stated.

The minister spoke during a high-level consultative meeting on the development of the national food and nutrition security crisis preparedness plan in Abuja on Friday, and said the country had made significant progress in strengthening its food and nutrition landscape.

He stated that the development of the plan, which stakeholders gathered to review, marked a significant milestone in the federal government’s proactive efforts to combat malnutrition and enhance Nigerians’ health and well-being through a coordinated food and nutrition response strategy.

The minister stated that the plan would provide valuable insights into strengthening early warning systems, enhancing climate resilience, and improving multisectoral coordination across government, UN agencies, NGOs, and humanitarian actors, aligning with national directives and IDA financing requirements.

“This will help us to achieve our goal of ensuring food security and nutrition for all Nigerians,” Bagudu told the participants, including the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate.

He said Nigeria’s leap was due to the federal government’s prioritising of the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity across the country.

These efforts, he pointed out, included the rollout of targeted social protection programmes, investments in agricultural productivity, an enabling policy environment through the review of a more transformative National Policy on Food and Nutrition, and the strengthening of food supply chains, among others.

He explained that the Nutrition 774 Initiative, launched earlier in the year, incorporates multi-sectoral approaches at local levels to improve sustainable food and nutrition practices.

He emphasised that the initiative demonstrated the federal government’s commitment to coordinate efforts at the highest levels, ensuring that policies were aligned and resources were used efficiently.

Bagudu said, “The federal government has also worked with states, development partners, and stakeholders to expand innovative solutions such as climate-smart agriculture, digital extension services, and nutrition-sensitive interventions.

“Additionally, the establishment of the Nigeria Nutrition Multisectoral Data Framework TWG and the National Nutrition Dashboard aims to improve data collection, early warning systems, and community engagement, thereby better anticipating and responding to food security threats.”

He thanked the World Bank for its commitment to development issues in the country. He also appreciated the contributions of donor agencies, development partners, and all relevant stakeholders at both the federal and state levels, who contributed to the development of the plan.

“Your dedication and hard work have provided us with valuable insights that will guide our efforts to build a more food-secure and healthier nation,” the minister stated.