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Tag: UNICEF

  • 51.9% of Kano children stunted by malnutrition – UNICEF

    51.9% of Kano children stunted by malnutrition – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concern over the nutritional status of children in Kano State, revealing that 51.9 per cent of children are stunted.

    The UNICEF Chief of Field Office Kano, Mr Rahma Farah, stated this during the official handover of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) held at Takai Local Government Area of Kano.

    The Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food was procured through a joint government and UNICEF Child Nutrition Match Fund initiative.

    Farah, represented by Dr Serekeberehan Deres, Health Manager, UNICEF Field Office Kano, noted that the figure implies that one in every two children in the state is not growing well due to chronic malnutrition.

    He also said that over 10 per cent of children in the state were wasted, a condition in which a child was too thin for their height, often as a result of recent and severe weight loss.

    The health manager warned that wasting significantly increases the risk of death if not treated promptly, adding that child malnutrition remains a major public health concern that requires urgent attention from all stakeholders.

    Farah called for increased investment in nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

    He urged the government, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders to scale up actions to combat malnutrition, particularly through improved access to nutrition services, education, clean water and healthcare.

    According to him, investment in child nutrition is one of the most cost-effective interventions for national development.

    Earlier, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, said the government was committed to improving child nutrition and had recently launched programmes targeting maternal and child health.

    Labaran promised that the state would continue to partner with UNICEF and other development partners to reduce malnutrition rates and improve child survival and development indicators.

    Malnutrition remains a major contributor to child mortality and poor educational outcomes in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country.

  • Exclusive breastfeeding rates stagnate at 29% – UNICEF

    Exclusive breastfeeding rates stagnate at 29% – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over stagnating exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria, which remain at just 29 per cent.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), observed globally from August 1 to 7 each year.

    The theme for the 2025 celebration, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” underscores the critical role of breast milk in child survival, growth, and healthy development.

    According to the statement, while more than 90 per cent of mothers in Nigeria breastfeed, the rate of early initiation of breastfeeding has declined, from 42 per cent in 2018 to 36 per cent in 2023.

    UNICEF noted that data from the 2023–2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed troubling trends in optimal breastfeeding practices.

    “Only 23 per cent of babies are breastfed up to the recommended age of two years.

    “Just 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, currently offer paid maternity leave for up to six months,” the statement said.

    The statement highlighted that breast milk was not only natural but also the most complete source of nutrition for infants.

    “It contains antibodies that protect children from illnesses, improves cognitive performance, and reduces the likelihood of obesity in later life.

    “For mothers, breastfeeding lowers the risk of certain cancers and Type 2 diabetes. It is also a climate-smart, sustainable, cost-effective, and zero-waste method of feeding infants.

    “In spite of these benefits, breastfeeding remains under-supported and often misunderstood in many settings,” UNICEF added.

    To reverse the negative trend, UNICEF emphasised the need for mothers to be supported at home, in healthcare facilities, and at work.

    The agency recommended initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding with complementary foods up to at least 24 months.

    UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Abdelatef, reiterated the importance of breast milk to child development.

    “Breast milk is central to child survival. We all have a role to play in supporting mothers to breastfeed effectively.

    “This World Breastfeeding Week, we urge every level of government, every workplace, and every community to build lasting support systems so that no mother lacks the encouragement or resources she needs.

    “Let us mark this week not just with words, but with action,” she said.

    The statement also renewed the Federal Government and UNICEF’s joint call to prioritise breastfeeding through sustainable support systems nationwide.

    Referencing the Nutrition 774 Initiative, UNICEF called on policymakers, employers, healthcare workers, civil society, and communities to collaborate in promoting breastfeeding.

    It also urged that health workers be equipped with adequate tools and training to support breastfeeding mothers.

    “Let us extend paid maternity leave to six months across all states in Nigeria and champion breastfeeding as a smart national investment that protects every Nigerian child’s right to adequate nutrition,” the statement added.

    World Breastfeeding Week has been celebrated annually since 1992. In 2018, the World Health Assembly endorsed WBW as a key global strategy for promoting breastfeeding.

  • Cholera still endemic in Nigeria – UNICEF

    Cholera still endemic in Nigeria – UNICEF

    The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Nigeria has the second highest cases of cholera outbreak in West and Central Africa.

    UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, said on Wednesday that cholera outbreak in Nigeria had become endemic.

    “Cholera remains endemic in Nigeria, with the country experiencing recurrent major outbreaks in recent years.”

    “As of end of June, Nigeria recorded 3,109 suspected cholera cases and 86 deaths across 34 states,” Fagninou said.

    The UN official added that the figure made Nigeria the second most affected country in the West and Central Africa region.

    He noted that cholera outbreak in the West and Central African region posed crisis for children.

    He said some 80,000 children were estimated to be at high risk of cholera in West and Central Africa as the rainy season began across the region.

    According to him, the heavy rains, widespread flooding and the high level of displacement are all fuelling the risk of cholera transmission and putting the lives of children at risk.

    He explained that cholera was an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria. The disease can be treated with oral rehydration solution and antibiotics but can be fatal within hours if untreated.

    “Young children are particularly vulnerable to cholera due to factors such as poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation and access to safe water and a greater risk of severe dehydration.

    “The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the hardest hit country in the region, reporting more than 38,000 cases and 951 deaths in July.

    “Children under five years now account for nearly 26 per cent of cases in the DRC, and without stronger containment measures, they may face the worst cholera crisis since 2017, the UNICEF official said.

    He added that Chad, Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo were also facing ongoing epidemics.

    Fagninou also said that Niger, Liberia, Benin, the Central African Republic and Cameroon were also under close surveillance due to their vulnerability.

    He said that urgent and scaled-up efforts were needed to prevent further spread and contain the disease across the region.

    He revealed that UNICEF had delivered life saving health, water, hygiene and sanitation supplies as well as treatment facilities to communities since the outbreak.

    “The agency has also supported cholera vaccinations, scaled up preparedness and response efforts and encouraged families to seek timely treatment and improve their hygiene practices.

    “We are in a race against time, working hand in hand with the authorities to deliver essential healthcare, safe water and proper nutrition to children already at risk of deadly diseases and severe acute malnutrition,” Fagninou stressed.

    “Together with an array of partners, we are strengthening community engagement and extending our reach to remote and underserved areas, making every effort to ensure that no child is left behind,” Fagninou said.

    He added that UNICEF West and Central Africa urgently required $20 million over the next three months to scale up critical support in health, WASH, risk communication and community engagement.

  • UNICEF Nigeria announces appointment of New country representative

    UNICEF Nigeria announces appointment of New country representative

    UNICEF Nigeria is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef as the new UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative.

    With over 20 years of dedicated service in international humanitarian and development work, Wafaa brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Nigeria’s efforts to improve the lives of children and communities across the country.

    Prior to this appointment, Wafaa served as the UNICEF Representative in Somalia, where she achieved significant successes in advancing children’s rights and well-being within a complex and challenging environment.

    Her extensive career includes senior roles with the United Nations, notably with OCHA, UNICEF, and WFP, in diverse settings such as Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, and Ethiopia. She has also held leadership positions at the global level with OCHA in New York and Geneva.

    Wafaa’s professional journey began in Sudan, where she worked with the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organisations on initiatives focused on displaced populations and environmental conservation. She holds a Master of Architecture from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, a Master of Science in Physical Planning from the University of Khartoum, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

    In her previous role as UNICEF Somalia representative, Wafaa demonstrated strong leadership in advancing the organisation’s mission amid complex humanitarian challenges. Her expertise spans program management, coordination, and strategic planning in both humanitarian and development contexts.

    UNICEF Nigeria is confident that Wafaa’s extensive experience and uncompromising dedication will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the rights and well-being of every child. We warmly welcome her to the country and look forward to her leadership in this vital mission.

    About UNICEF Nigeria

    UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and young people. IIn over 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for all. UNICEF works in Nigeria to promote the rights and well-being of every child. Together with partners, we advocate for policies and programs that strengthen child protection, education, health, and nutrition.

  • UNICEF, editors urge action to address 880,000 newborn deaths annually

    UNICEF, editors urge action to address 880,000 newborn deaths annually

    International Children’s Fund, in partnership with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, has called for renewed national commitment to the welfare of children and women in Nigeria amid escalating humanitarian and security challenges.

    The appeal came during the presentation of UNICEF’s 2024 report in Lagos, which revealed alarming statistics showing that approximately 880,000 newborns die in Nigeria every year, many from preventable causes.

    At the event, UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, stressed the urgent need to strengthen collaboration across all sectors, including government, media, the private sector, and communities, to ensure that every child not only survives but thrives.

    She emphasised that parents and communities, as primary caregivers, must be fully informed on how to care for their children, with education being a non-negotiable priority.

    Munduate further called on households with access to schools to prioritise sending their children to school.

    Highlighting the role of the media, Munduate urged for a strong and proactive press capable of raising awareness, spotlighting solutions, and holding institutions accountable.

    “We need a strong media that can do what we call ‘social watch’ to monitor and ensure that investments and opportunities for children are effectively delivered across the country,” she said.

    Munduate revealed that out of every 1,000 children born, 110 do not survive their first year.

    With over eight million births annually, this translates to approximately 880,000 newborn deaths every year, a majority of which are preventable.

    The report also indicated that four in ten Nigerian children suffer from stunting due to poor nutrition and inadequate healthcare.

    “These figures are not just numbers; they represent real children whose futures are being cut short,” Munduate lamented.

    The event, which drew top editors, veteran journalists, and development partners, also provided a platform for UNICEF to acknowledge the media’s role in championing child welfare.

    Munduate expressed gratitude to media leaders such as Mr. Lanre Idowu, Mr. Eze Anaba, and Mr. Emeka Izeze for their steadfast partnership and support.

    The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba, reaffirmed the media’s responsibility to focus more on under-reported humanitarian issues, particularly those affecting women and children amid Nigeria’s severe security challenges.

    “No matter how we try to dress it up, Nigeria is grappling with serious security challenges that are directly impacting women and children. They are always the first victims of conflict,” Anaba said.

    He urged editors to dedicate more editorial space to stories about displacement, hunger, and health crises, rather than concentrating solely on political affairs.

    “If we amplify these voices, we can help trigger solutions,” he noted.

    Former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Mr. Emeka Izeze, also made a compelling case for prioritising human-interest stories in national discourse.

    Sharing moving accounts of journalists risking their lives to report from conflict zones such as Maiduguri and Chibok, Izeze said, “These are the stories that truly touch the soul and reflect the real Nigeria. Let’s allow the stories of the vulnerable to take centre stage. Let’s open our newspapers and see children and women, not just politicians.”

    He further proposed the establishment of a standing platform for UNICEF at editors’ conventions to maintain awareness and promote action.

    “The rest of the world may not need UNICEF anymore, but Nigeria still does. Urgently,” he added.

  • Nigeria’s children still behind – UNICEF urges better public spending for Child’s rights

    Nigeria’s children still behind – UNICEF urges better public spending for Child’s rights

    Nigeria on Monday joined the rest of the continent to commemorate the 2025 Day of the African Child, a resounding call for improved public spending on child rights echoed across Lagos during a media dialogue convened by United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF.) in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF, Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, opened the dialogue with an emotional tribute to the roots of the Day of the African Child — the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa, where over 100 children were killed for demanding better education in their native language.

    “Today reminds us of the courage of those schoolchildren,” Lafoucriere said. “Nearly 50 years later, too many Nigerian children are still crying out for a better chance — access to clean water, healthcare, nutrition, education, and safety.”

    She emphasized that despite Nigeria ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 — 34 years ago — many rights remain unfulfilled. “Budget planning and public policy remain largely insufficient. Even where funds are allocated, spending is inefficient and poorly tracked.”

    Lafoucriere further charged journalists, civil society, and policy makers to rise as “red flag raisers,” calling for transparency and real outcomes. “You’re not bystanders. You shape public thinking and hold leaders accountable. Every naira must reach a child in need.”

    According to her, the media, being a powerful instrument that influences society, has a lot to do with children’s rights and improving their health, education, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), and protection through consistent factual and accurate news and investigative reporting.

    “So, I will call on you journalists to collaborate with UNICEF by amplifying child-focused issues, investigating budget implementation, and drawing attention to areas of underinvestment.

    “You know you are not bystanders but critical stakeholders. You shape public thinking. You hold policymakers accountable. And together, we can follow the money, tell the children’s stories, and drive real action for the betterment of our collective future,” she stressed.

    Lagos State Showcases Innovative Budgeting for Child Spending

    In response, Orojimi Olufemi, Director of Budget at the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget during the media dialogue unveiled Lagos State’s innovative efforts to track and prioritize child-related spending.

    “Previously, child-related expenses were buried under general expenditure items,” he said. “With UNICEF’s partnership, we’ve now assigned a special code — called 916 — across our ministries, making it possible to identify, track, and evaluate funds specifically meant for children.”

    Through the 916 code, ministries such as Health, Education, Justice, SDGs, and Domestic & Sexual Violence Agencies can now disaggregate budgets, isolating investments in children’s welfare — from school exams to healthcare interventions.

    “Budgeting is more than numbers,” Olufemi declared. “It reflects our national priorities. We’ve moved from vague planning to clear program-based budgeting. Now we can ask: Is this naira for a vulnerable child, or for a service they can never reach?”

    Both speakers highlighted a recurring issue — a gap between budget allocations and actual impact. While planning is improving, without accurate data and real-time tracking, resources often fail to reach the children they’re meant for.

    “We’re using management systems like Oracle to digitize our budget tracking,” Olufemi explained, showing slides on Lagos’ budget cycle, planning tools, and expenditure control processes. “We upload our reports quarterly, we publish citizens’ budgets, and we hold consultative forums with the public. Transparency is non-negotiable.”

    Lafoucriere urged journalists to tell children’s stories, ask where the money goes, and turn data into impact.

    “We are not here to advocate alone. We are here to collaborate,” she concluded. “Together, we can press for budgetary planning and spending that truly aligns with every child’s right. Are you ready to make it happen?”

    The media dialogue marks a renewed partnership between UNICEF, Lagos State, and the media in pushing Nigeria closer to the dream that inspired the Soweto youth — a future where every child’s right is protected, and no one is left behind.

  • UNICEF raises alarm over polio variant in Kano LGs

    UNICEF raises alarm over polio variant in Kano LGs

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concern over the detection of a variant of the polio virus in four local governments in Kano State.

    Mr Rahama Mohammed, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, disclosed this on Thursday during the June Edition of the Media Dialogue on Polio and Routine Immunisation.

    He said surveillance conducted in 2025 revealed the presence of the virus in Warawa, Bunkure, Kano Municipal, and Nasarawa local governments.

    “This is unacceptable and must be halted. Polio remains a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly and knows no borders,” he said.

    Mohammed said a single case of polio anywhere poses a threat to children everywhere and called for coordinated efforts to contain the outbreak.

    He urged governments at all levels, traditional rulers, and the media to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure full vaccination coverage, particularly in high-risk areas.

    Mohammed reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to support Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts and called for the timely release of counterpart funding and stronger supervision of immunisation campaigns.

    Earlier, the Director-General of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Nasiru Mahmud, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to eradicate polio by December 2025.

    He also pledged to drastically reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate within the same period, describing the fight against both health challenges as top priorities.

    Mahmud stressed the government’s resolve to work closely with traditional rulers and the 44 local government chairmen to address the issues.

  • Diphtheria spread: Airport told to tighten health checks

    Diphtheria spread: Airport told to tighten health checks

    UNICEF has recommended regular health checks on incoming passengers at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, as part of measures to check the spread of diphtheria in Imo.

    UNICEF’s Health Specialist, Dr Olusoji Akinleye, made the recommendation during a virtual media parley organised by the agency in Owerri, on Friday.

    Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, recently broke out in Imo, with an index case reported in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state.

    Diphtheria primarily affects the nose, throat, and, in some cases, the skin, spreading through respiratory droplets or direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.

    Medical professionals say the incubation period ranges from two to five days but may extend up to 10 days, and without prompt treatment, can lead to severe complications and death in approximately one in 10 cases.

    UNICEF is supporting the Government of Nigeria’s response efforts in case management, infection prevention and control, reactive vaccination, risk communication and community engagement to contain the outbreak.

    Akinleye spoke on the theme: “Diphtheria Outbreak Response in Imo”.

    He said that with 10 fatalities already recorded, according to available statistics, it was imperative to restrict and contain the spread of the scourge to prevent a possible “national disaster”, as the airport “sits very close to Aboh Mbaise”.

    He commended the Imo Immunisation Officer, Dr Chibuzo Anyaehie, for ensuring prompt vaccination of persons across the four affected council areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Owerri North and Owerri Municipal.

    In a remark, Anyaehie said that 4,017 persons had already received the diphtheria vaccine. According to her, the state has so far recorded 79 suspected cases and seven confirmed cases.

    “We have established treatment centres across all Primary Health Centres in Mbutu and the Aboh General Hospital, with an additional 70 doses of vaccines just supplied,” she said.

    Also, UNICEF’s Communications Officer, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, thanked health intervention officers from the Imo Ministry of Health for their efforts in containing the outbreak.

    Onuoha-Ogwe charged the media to adequately sensitise the general public on preventive management of the disease to curb its spread.

    UNICEF’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist, Mrs Rebekah Gabriel, harped on the need for regular handwashing with soap and water and greater collaboration with traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders for effective grassroots sensitisation.

    Earlier in an opening remark, UNICEF’s Chief of Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, thanked the media for effective partnerships and urged the media “to amplify awareness about the outbreak”.

  • FG partners UNICEF to train 20m Nigerians on digital skills

    FG partners UNICEF to train 20m Nigerians on digital skills

    The Federal Government is partnering with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to train 20 million young Nigerians on digital skills by 2030.

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima disclosed this at a meeting with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The meeting was also attended by the UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr Rownak Khan and the Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere.

    Shettima said that Nigeria presents both a challenge and an opportunity with its rapidly growing population, currently estimated at over 230 million and an average age of 17.

    He accepted to chair the board of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), a public-private-youth partnership platform.

    GenU 9JA is constituted to help young Nigerians between the ages of 10 and 24 transition from learning to earning through digital connectivity.

    Shettima said: ” it is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited, GenU 9JA.

    “This platform provides a vista of opportunities for our young people. Beyond rhetorics, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means.”

    He said that GenU 9JA initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda of inclusive development, digital innovation, and youth empowerment.

    Shettima pointed out that Nigeria is not seeking handouts but sustainable, equitable partnerships.

    “We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship; one based on respect and shared interests. This is why I’m very passionate about the digital initiative.

    ”Beyond leadership in our enlightened self-interest, if we want to live in this part of the world, we have to involve them, we have to empower them,” he said.

    Shettima described the initiative as a beautiful programme that would enable Nigerian youths trade their skills in the global market.

    ”The digital space gives us the easiest window to get the youth engaged effortlessly.

    “They can trade their skills in the global market. I know of a lot of young Nigerians who are working for global firms from the comfort of their homes,” he added.

    Earlier, Fall noted that the GenU 9JA platform was central to addressing youth unemployment, educational inequality, and digital exclusion.

    “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youth-focused initiatives—skills, digital access, and employment—are critical. And GenU is helping to drive those priorities,” Fall said.

    Also, Khan said that GenU 9JA is one of UNICEF’s most successful global youth empowerment programmes, saying Nigeria has been a model in this effort.

    “We’ve seen incredible results from Nigeria. Few countries globally have recorded the level of youth impact that GenU 9JA has achieved,” she said.

    Khan explained that the programme was built on three pillars; digital connectivity, pathways from learning to earning, and youth engagement and empowerment.

    She said that all the pillars were designed to prepare Nigerian youths for current job markets.

    On her part, Lafoucriere noted that since its launch in 2022, GenU 9JA has impacted over 10 million young people, with 1,500 job linkages already secured.

    “To reach our target of 20 million youths by 2030, we must now strengthen coordination among partners and align even more closely with national policy,” she said.

  • The deepening crisis: A look into growing malnutrition rates as Nigeria surpasses war-torn Sudan

    The deepening crisis: A look into growing malnutrition rates as Nigeria surpasses war-torn Sudan

    Malnutrition remains a severe public health and development issue in Africa, causing the deaths of millions of children under the age of five each year.

    Nigeria, unfortunately, has emerged as the nation with the highest number of malnourished children in Africa, surpassing even war-torn Sudan, and is now ranked second globally in this tragic development.

    Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that approximately 600,000 children in Nigeria suffer from acute malnutrition, with half of these children on the brink of developing severe acute malnutrition, placing them at high risk of death.

    This dire situation has made Nigeria the epicenter of child malnutrition on the African continent, according to UNICEF’s chief of the nutrition section, Nemat Hajeebhoy.

    Several factors are contributing to this alarming rise in malnutrition in Nigeria. First, widespread food insecurity remains a significant problem, particularly in regions like the North-East, where recurring conflicts and climate-induced challenges have disrupted food production.

    Additionally, poverty is rampant, with the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report showing that Nigeria accounts for 19% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s extremely poor population.

    Many families cannot afford to provide adequate food for their children, and limited access to nutritious foods further exacerbates the problem. Poor maternal health, inadequate breastfeeding practices, and lack of access to clean water and sanitation also play critical roles in this crisis.

    The World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted that Nigeria is home to the highest number of food-insecure people in Africa. This crisis has been worsened by ongoing shortages of essential nutrition and the lack of adequate infrastructure to ensure food security.

    The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has requested $300 million to help address this pressing issue, targeting urgent needs like food insecurity, poor nutrition, and inadequate sanitation.

    With the World Bank predicting that even more Nigerians will be pushed into poverty by 2027, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. The Nigerian government must take swift and decisive action to address the root causes of malnutrition and food insecurity.

    While international organizations continue to mobilize resources, the government must prioritize sustainable solutions that include improving access to nutritious food, investing in maternal and child healthcare, and enhancing infrastructure for clean water and sanitation. Without immediate and long-term action, Nigeria risks condemning an entire generation to compromised health and a bleak future.