By: John Bassey, Zamfara.
An organization identified as Civil Society, Scalling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, CS-SUNN has established that malnutrition remains a critical public health and development emergency in Zamfara State.
This was disclosed in a media engagement summit organized by CS-SUNN at the Multipurpose Hall of Ja’iz Hotel located at Bye-pass Road in Gusau the state capital.
In a press statement issued by Okoronkwo Sunday, Executive Secretary
For Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and read by the Steering committee member of the CS-SUNN, Mr. Silas Spencer Ideva, it was stated that despite the state’s vast agricultural and human potential, recent evidence shows a worsening nutrition crisis militating against the human health.
One of it was Stunting which has risen sharply from 50.8% in 2018 to 64.2% NDHS-2023, underweight increased to 44.3%, and wasting remains a concern. Additionally, 84% of children under five are anaemic, while 35.6% of women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia.
These alarming trends are compounded by food insecurity, insecurity-related displacement, low exclusive breastfeeding rates (35%), and limited access to skilled maternal healthcare services, with only 10.8% of births attended by skilled health personnel. Collectively, these factors undermine child survival, learning outcomes, workforce productivity, and the long-term economic stability of the state.
Investing in nutrition is therefore not optional, it is a strategic economic and security imperative. Evidence consistently shows that malnutrition weakens human capital, reduces lifetime earnings, and drains up to 11% of GDP in high-burden countries. Conversely, timely investments in maternal, infant, and young child nutrition particularly during the first 1,000 days of life yield significant returns through improved health, cognitive development, and productivity.
In response, the Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), with support from UNICEF, is implementing the project titled “Increased Investment in Nutrition to Scale Up Quality Nutrition Services” in Zamfara State.
As part of this initiative, the Zamfara State Chapter of CS-SUNN is convening a Media Roundtable to catalyze urgent action toward increased nutrition financing and the effective implementation of the Zamfara State Multisectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition (MSPAN).
Advocacy Priority is to secure sustainable domestic financing for nutrition, including the allocation of at least 0.5% of the state budget (approximately ₦2 billion annually) to fully fund MSPAN.
We advice that the Government should leverage innovative financing mechanisms such as the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) to co-finance essential commodities, including Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), and Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS).
Ensure the timely release and efficient utilization of budgeted nutrition funds to
scale up high-impact maternal and child nutrition interventions, with emphasis on exclusive breastfeeding and comprehensive support across the first 1,000 days.
Government lead with policy and financing, Ring-fence and increase nutrition budgets across the health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, and social protection sectors; enrol in CNF; and ensure predictable and timely fund releases.
Protecting mothers and infants, accelerate the passage and implementation of the six-month paid maternity leave policy across the public sector and encourage its adoption in the private sector to support exclusive breastfeeding and improve child survival.
Delivering on commitments, fully fund operationalize, and monitor MSPAN, with clear accountability mechanisms and strengthened coordination down to the Local Government Area (LGA) level.
Strengthen systems to integrate nutrition services into primary healthcare, expand Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) sites, ensure uninterrupted supplies of RUTF and MMS, and improve data systems for evidence-based decision-making.
Media
Set the public agenda to elevate nutrition and food security as central development and security priorities through sustained, evidence-based reporting.
Promote accountability to track budget commitments, releases, and service delivery outcomes, highlighting both progress and gaps.
Drive behavior change in order to amplify accurate messaging on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, maternal nutrition, and micronutrient supplementation to counter misinformation and encourage positive social norms.
Private Sectors should create shared value, invest in food fortification, affordable nutritious foods, and efficient distribution systems that reach vulnerable communities.
Adopt family-friendly workplaces so as to implement maternity protection policies, breastfeeding-friendly environments, and flexible work arrangements.
Partners and relevant stakeholders are urged to co-invest with government and civil society through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and impact financing aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Civil Society & NGOs are to sustain advocacy and social accountability, mobilize communities, engage policymakers, and monitor nutrition financing and service delivery.
Delivering community impact via expanded nutrition education, behavior change communication, and community-led interventions to improve household practices.
Coordinate for results, align interventions with MSPAN priorities, avoid duplication, and promote shared learning for scale and sustainability.
CS-SUNN appreciates the continued commitment of government leaders, development partners, the media, the private sector, and civil society actors in addressing Zamfara’s nutrition crisis.
Investing in nutrition today will save lives, restore productivity, strengthen resilience, and secure Zamfara’s economic future. With decisive leadership and modest fiscal commitment, Zamfara can turn the tide on malnutrition and build a healthier, more prosperous state for generations to come.
