Nigerian govt unveils framework for national nutrition scheme

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Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced the framework for the federal government’s comprehensive vision for a statewide nutrition initiative to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.

The planned programme, “Nutrition 774 Initiative,” is targeted at improving nutritional outcomes throughout all 774 local government areas (LGAs) in the country.

While speaking on Tuesday at a roundtable with development partners at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima said the effort coincides with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader focus on food security and availability across Nigeria.

“The priority with which His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has pursued food availability has gone hand-in-hand with our commitment to eradicating malnutrition.

“Our aspiration as a nation goes beyond the mere abundance of food in our barns and warehouses. We cannot declare victory unless there is certainty that each household across Nigeria has access to the preferred and prescribed diets required for a healthy life,” the Vice President stated.

It will be recalled that the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) had in September supported the Nutrition 774 initiative as a main platform for combatting malnutrition within Nigerian communities.

The council encouraged development partners to contribute financial and technical help to support this project.

Speaking at the roundtable with development partners on Tuesday, the Vice President asked the development partners to embrace the proposed initiative, recognising the essential role of partnership in solving the nation’s nutritional concerns.

“This initiative must be owned by our development partners just as much as it is by the government, for each of us is a stakeholder in the emergence of a healthy, stable Nigeria,” he stated.

VP Shettima said that the proposed Nutrition 774 Initiative follows a grassroots-driven strategy, empowering local actors to take charge of nutritional improvements in their communities as well as investment in local capacity through the training of health workers and community leaders.

“Nutrition 774 Initiative is an assurance to all Nigerians—young and old, single and married, from North to South.

It assures us that balancing the diets of our nation is not only an aspiration but a duty we must pursue with purpose and passion,” he noted.

The Vice President further stated that while Nigeria grapples with recent floods and global inflationary pressures affecting food security, “our response must not only be innovative, it must also address these challenges directly.

“Every Naira spent on food for our people pays dividends ad infinitum—in terms of both their health and the safety and prosperity of our country,” he continued.

Shettima echoed this sentiment, saying that local government councils that have demonstrated enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to leading the process deserve incentives.

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