The Federal Government has said nutrition is one of the key thematic areas in the Medium-term National Development Plans (MTNDP 2021-2025 & 2026-2030) and the Nigeria Agenda 2050 presently being developed.
Clem Agba, minister of State for Budget and National Planning, stated this on Monday during the ‘Nutrition Week 2020, Joint Ministerial Press Briefing/flag-off’ in Abuja.
Agba admitted that Nigeria’s food and nutrition situation and the attendant poor global image in terms of economic and development milestones were major concerns to the ministry.
The minister noted that Nigeria had the second-highest burden of stunted children in the world, with an estimated 2.5 million children under the age of five years suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
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He said: “Owing to the importance the current administration places on child survival, nutrition is one of the key thematic areas in the Medium-term National Development Plans (MTNDP 2021-2025 & 2026-2030) and the Nigeria Agenda 2050 presently being developed by our Ministry.
“Our emphasis has been on protecting the economy and funding the country’s healthcare needs with the COVID-19 response spurring necessary transformation and innovation in the fiscal space and beyond.”
He maintained that the ministry places a high premium on nutrition in view of its multi-sectoral nature and overarching effects on the nation’s socio-economic development.
Clem said research had shown that investments in nutrition prevent undernutrition, build human capital, boost shared prosperity and improve health outcomes.
He further pointed out that under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria had shown a clear commitment to the eradication of malnutrition through the adoption and domestication of policies and cost strategic plans.
Bamidele Omotola, the national nutrition adviser from Nutrition International, said 53 percent of people who die young were nutrition-related.
Omotola explained that Nutrition International was established in Nigeria in 2007 and works with partners to support the government to ensure the most vulnerable were reached with lifesaving and enhanced nutrition programming.
He disclosed that Nutrition International donated Vitamin A Capsules to 60 countries globally, including Nigeria.
