At the recently concluded 54th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) in Kano, CS-SUNN reaffirmed its leadership and commitment in advancing impactful nutrition initiatives, with a particular emphasis on combating anemia among women and girls.
Highlights from the Keynote Presentation:
A key note presentation by CS-SUNN Programme Manager, Dr. Goodness Chidi Anyanwu, themed “Increased Anaemia Prevention Among Women and Girls in Nigeria,” saw CS-SUNN take centre stage in presenting innovative strategies that will contribute in reshaping the narrative on women and girls nutrition across the nation. She highlighted the alliance’s key role which has been instrumental in mobilizing civil society to tackle nutrition challenges in Nigeria. Dr. Anyanwu announced the groundbreaking Women and Girls Nutrition Project, a 9-month initiative that culminated in the creation of Nigeria’s first National Guideline on Women and Girls Empowerment for Optimal Nutrition, adding that this milestone is a testament to the success of collaborative efforts between CS-SUNN, the government, and other partners.
Dr. Anyanwu emphasized that while past anaemia prevention efforts primarily focused on Iron and Folic Acid Supplements (IFAS), CS-SUNN and other nutrition partners are pioneering a more holistic approach by promoting Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), which have shown superior results in preventing anaemia and promoting healthier pregnancy outcomes. She highlighted how approximately 40% of Nigerian women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia, making this issue a critical public health concern. In her words, “while past efforts have focused on the causes and prevention of anemia using Iron and folic acid, CS-SUNN approaches this subject matter from a unique angle, centering on the wholistic nutrition of women and girls. CS-SUNN’s unique approach addresses nutrition gaps at all stages of life—from adolescence through adulthood—by integrating education, advocacy, and political engagement to create sustainable change”.
She further elaborated on key strategies, including increasing women’s representation in decision-making roles, empowering women through public schemes, and promoting girl-child education as essential elements in preventing anaemia and improving overall nutrition. The CS-SUNN’s Project Manager emphasized a crucial call to action: Nutrition education and awareness at all levels must be prioritized, especially through public empowerment schemes. Women must play an active role in decision-making processes related to nutrition and multisectoral enablers. To combat anemia effectively, compliance to Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) is essential, and health workers require capacity-building training to ensure proper implementation and outreach, she added.
Panel Discussion: A Convergence of Key Nutrition Stakeholders:
The CS-SUNN PM also moderated a panel discussion, which featured key nutrition and public health experts, including the likes of Mrs. Uju Anwukah, Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Focal Person Nutrition, Office of The Vice President, Dr. Ogechi Akalonu, Deputy Director of Nutrition at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Prof. Ngozi Nnam -Member Board of trustees CS-SUNN. Others are Mrs. Beatrice Eluaka– First Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, Dr. Osita Okonkwo -Country Director Nutrition International and Dr. James Oloyode -Senior Technical Advisor Nutrition FHI 360/Alive and Thrive Country Office Abuja.
CS-SUNN’s Board of Trustees member, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, underscored the urgent need for more research into anaemia prevention, particularly among pregnant women in rural areas, where anaemia rates remain alarmingly high. She made the following recommendations; the need to increase access to research grants for implementation research on MMS and anemia prevention, integrate nutrition education into antenatal care and expand access to MMS in health facilities.
Mrs. Anwukah emphasized that empowering women to take on decision-making roles, both within their households and in government, is key to advancing efforts to prevent anemia. She highlighted that woman, who dedicate 90% of their income to their families and communities, are natural agents of change. Despite this, only a small fraction of women in Nigeria hold leadership positions in government. She strongly advocated for greater female representation in governance at all levels to drive meaningful progress in health and nutrition.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Beatrice Eluaka, the first Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, called for research-driven advocacy to influence policies and emphasized that strategic partnerships and targeted communication and media advocacy engagements are critical to the success of any nutrition program.
Dr. Akalanu outlined Nigeria’s efforts to combat anemia through the Primary Health Care (PHC) platform, which delivers antenatal care at the community level. She said the country’s goal is to reduce anemia rates by 40% by 2025 and further decrease it to 50% by 2030. Key strategies driving this initiative include community-led approaches, capacity building for women, and enhancing physical access to health centers, ensuring that interventions reach those most in need.
Dr. Osita presented key findings from research on the implementation of MMS interventions across various states, noting a significant 50% reduction in anemia rates. Despite this progress, he noted that challenges persist, particularly in rural areas, where access to health services remains limited, and many women do not enroll in antenatal care early in their pregnancies. He proposed these as solutions; promoting early enrollment in antenatal care, enhancing access to MMS supplements and expanding the number of health workers in primary health facilities.\
Key Achievements and Takeaways from the Conference:
The success of the conference was not only measured by the quality of discussions but also by the actionable recommendations put forward by the panelists, many of which reflect CS-SUNN’s core mission. Among the key takeaways were:
- Increase in Women’s Leadership: The conference reinforced CS-SUNN’s advocacy for empowering women to play active roles in decision-making at both household and governmental levels. As Mrs. Anwukah noted, women in leadership positions have a profound impact on improving nutrition outcomes for families.
- Advocacy for MMS: Through its work, CS-SUNN and other partners have championed the inclusion of MMS in antenatal care as a superior method for preventing anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies. This intervention is now a key part of the National Guidelines on Micronutrient Deficiencies Control.
- Promoting Girl-Child Education: Recognizing that education is a critical determinant of nutritional health, CS-SUNN continues to advocate for policies that keep girls in school longer, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed health decisions in the future.
- Call for Implementation Research: The need for increased research grants to explore the effectiveness of MMS and other interventions in anaemia prevention was echoed by several speakers, including Prof. Nnam. CS-SUNN’s involvement in such research will be crucial in providing the evidence base needed for policy reform.
Conclusion: Pioneering the Path Forward:
CS-SUNN’s presence at the NSN Conference in Kano exemplified its commitment to improving the health outcomes of women and girls across Nigeria. By spearheading the development of the National Guidelines and advocating for evidence-based interventions like MMS, CS-SUNN is not just responding to the challenge of anaemia prevention—it is leading the way in creating a healthier, more empowered generation of women and girls. The outcomes of the conference will undoubtedly influence national nutrition policies and inspire further action to address anaemia in Nigeria and beyond.
