Blog

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2024! The past year, 2023, proved to be incredibly rewarding for CS-SUNN, its dedicated state chapters, members, staff and stakeholders at both the state and national levels. Together, we achieved numerous successes, particularly in advancing policies and securing enhanced funding for nutrition.

As we step into the new year, the alliance shines the spotlight on the key highlights from impactful feats in 2023 and unveils an ambitious focus for 2024.

Achievements in 2023:

1.            Improved Nutrition Budget Allocations:

•              CS-SUNN alliance played a pivotal role in advocating for increased budgetary allocation dedicated to nutrition. The alliance surpassed set targets in specific states (under the PINNS project) and witnessed a substantial increase in budgetary allocations from 2021 to 2023, exceeding the ambitious 20% target.

Table showing the increase in Nutrition Budget Allocation across focal states (# Million)
Year/State	Lagos	Kaduna	Kano	Niger	Nasarawa
2021	178.3	4,342.02	972.44	993.16	187
2022	268.56	6,397.81	2,285.23	2,714.50	926.5
2023	282.59	6,800.38	3,591.05	2,948.19	1,193.00

2.            Creation of Nutrition Departments in Key MDAs:

•              Our interventions led to the establishment of Nutrition departments in four key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Federal Ministry of Health, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Information and Culture. Commitments were secured from other states to follow suit.

3.            Scaling Up Performance Management System (PMS):

•              The National/State Committees on Food and Nutrition (N/SCFN) Digital Performance Management System (PMS) became a beacon of accountability and ownership. After its success in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, Kano, and Lagos States in 2022, it was adopted by Kebbi, Sokoto, Gombe, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Delta, Yobe, and Borno states in 2023, elevating our impact.

4.            Strengthening Alliances with Strategic Partners:

•              Collaborating with USAID Advancing Nutrition and Hellen Keller International, CS-SUNN empowered 80 CSOs/CBOs across Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and FCT with grant/proposal writing, nutrition programming, and advocacy skills.

5.            Strategic Alliance Expansion:

•              Expanding our footprint, CS-SUNN reached new chapters in Ebonyi, Cross-River, Bayelsa, Benue and Ondo states in 2023, bringing the total number of chapters to 28 (Twenty-eight). These chapters have already embarked on impactful advocacy and media interventions for improved nutrition funding and extended paid paternity leave under the UNICEF project.

6.            High-Level Women’s Platform for Nutrition Established:

•              In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum, CS-SUNN inaugurated the maiden Women in Power conference in 2023, engaging governors’ wives and securing commitments for enhancing nutrition outcomes nationwide.

7.            Nutrition Financing Framework Established:

•              In collaboration with Results 4 Development (R4D), the World Bank ANRiN project, and the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, CS-SUNN developed a groundbreaking Nutrition Financing Framework last year. The framework is designed to mobilize domestic funds from philanthropic individuals in public and private sectors and to ensure sustainability. This framework, designed for sustainable funding, was extended to nine additional states through funding from the World Bank ANRiN project.

8.            Impactful Outcomes in BMGF-Selected Countries, specifically Kenya:

•              CS-SUNN’s efforts in enhancing civil society capacity and promoting accountability, particularly in Kenya, yielded remarkable outcomes. Strengthening the Kenya SUN CSA’s capacity, establishing 19 County SUN CSAs and impacting 40 Kenya SUN CSA national members through the CS-SUNN online school showcased our commitment to global impact.

9.            Amplifying Advocacy through Media Engagements:

•              CS-SUNN’s key media engagements across platforms including our social media channels played a pivotal role in elevating the call for better nutrition outcomes in Nigeria. Our efforts included tracking and amplifying the call for the fulfilment of Nigeria’s Global Commitment (N4G) on Nutrition and calling for the implementation of Nigeria’s Micronutrient Deficiency Control guidelines and more.

10.         Strategic Operational Plans for SCFN in 2023:

•              CS-SUNN supported the National /State Committees on Food and Nutrition (N/SCFN) in developing state-specific annual operational plans for 2023, ensuring that nutrition activities aligned seamlessly with each state’s strategic plan of action.

11.         Organizational Effectiveness and Development:

•              The alliance improved organizational effectiveness through capacity-building programs, fostering sustained nutrition advocacy leadership and governance.

12.         CS-SUNN Online Academy Growth:

•              The CS-SUNN digitized Advocacy and Leadership Manual (CALM) Online Academy witnessed a remarkable 59% growth in enrollment, with 1,211 students benefiting in 2023.

13.         Coalition for Women and Girls Empowerment Established:

•              CS-SUNN played a pivotal role in establishing a coalition aimed at empowering women and girls for optimal nutrition in Nigeria by 2028.

14.         National Guideline on Women and Girls’ Empowerment:

•              In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and support from FHI Solutions, the alliance developed the National Guideline on Women and Girls’ Empowerment. This is set to be launched this year.

15.         The Inclusion of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in the Essential Medicines list (EML):

•              The alliance contributed to evidence-based advocacy that led to the inclusion of MMS in Nigeria’s Essential Medicines List.

Ambitious Initiatives for 2024:

As we stride into 2024, CS-SUNN is poised for even greater impact with our focus centered around the scale-up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in Nigeria. Here’s a glimpse into our core focus this year:

1.            Advocacy for Full Implementation of the National MicroNutrient Deficiency Control (MNDC) Guideline:

•              CS-SUNN aims to advocate for the full or improved implementation of the National MNDC Guideline, ensuring that it serves as a beacon for the eradication of MND.

2.            Generation of Evidence on Impact, Effectiveness, and Cost-Effectiveness of MMS:

•              The alliance is committed to generating more evidence on the impact, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of MMS. This evidence will be a catalyst for improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding MMS uptake.

3.            Creating Demand and Increasing Awareness of MMS:

•              CS-SUNN is poised to create a groundswell of demand and awareness for MMS, ensuring that the benefits reach those who need it the most.

4.            Resource Mobilization and Budgetary advocacies for Nutrition and more…

•              CS-SUNN will intensify efforts to secure more funding including increased budgetary allocations for nutrition. The alliance aims to influence policy decisions that prioritize and allocate adequate funds for nutrition programs at both national and state levels.

The journey in 2024 has already been paved with success, notably with the inclusion of MMS in Nigeria’s Essential Medicines List (EML) last year. As we embark on 2024, we invite you, our valued stakeholders to join us in this crucial endeavor. Your support will play a pivotal role in ensuring that nutrition remains a top priority in Nigeria.