Supported by CS-SUNN Under the UNICEF-funded “Increased Investment in Nutrition to Scale-Up Quality Nutrition Services” project.
Driving Nutrition and Maternity Protection with Evidence:
The nutritional well-being of women and children is central to the socio-economic advancement of any nation. The International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) strongly advocates for the integration of nutrition into all national development strategies, warning against the cycle of malnutrition that erodes human potential and slows progress. In Nigeria, this reality continues to manifest in inadequate investment in nutrition-specific interventions and a policy environment for maternity protection, particularly in the workplace that requires strengthening. Addressing these challenges requires not just policy commitment but also data—credible, validated evidence that can shape national and sub-national decisions.
In response to these gaps, the Civil-Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) in collaboration with the SUN Academia Research Network and with support from UNICEF, convened a high-level, two-day validation workshop. The focus was on two critical studies: a Costing Analysis of Nutrition-Specific Interventions in Nigeria, and a National Survey on Maternity Protection Practices in Public and Private Sector Organizations. These studies are integral to Nigeria’s broader nutrition agenda and are directly aligned with national frameworks such as the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition (NMPFAN) 2021–2025, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the World Health Assembly (WHA) nutrition targets.
The Validation Workshop: Inclusive, Evidence-Driven and Action-Oriented
Convened over two days in June 2025, the workshop took place in Nasarawa State. It brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, development partners such as UNICEF and Nutrition International, civil society organizations, academia and the private sector. The workshop provided a participatory space to examine the methodology, findings and relevance of the two studies, ensuring they reflected Nigeria’s nutrition priorities and could inform upcoming decisions and actions for nutrition.
Moreover, the workshop catalyzed cross-sectoral coordination, bringing together ministries of health, labor, finance, information and others into unified dialogue. This level of multi-sectoral engagement is crucial for advancing integrated solutions to malnutrition.
Validating What Matters: Key Achievements and Impact
The workshop successfully achieved technical validation of both studies. Stakeholders endorsed the methodology, data quality and relevance of the findings to national and sub-national policymaking. This validation not only strengthens the credibility of the research but also enhances its utility in driving investment and reform.
One of the key outcomes of the costing analysis is the provision of financial benchmarks and return-on-investment insights that policymakers can now use to advocate for increased funding for nutrition services. With credible projections in hand, both government and development partners are better positioned to commit additional resources to nutrition programming.
Equally significant is the validation of the maternity protection survey, which offers Nigeria its first nationally coordinated snapshot of maternity-related workplace policies. The data provides a baseline to advocate for extension of maternity leave to 6 months paid maternity leave, breastfeeding support systems in the workplace and broader gender-sensitive labor reforms.
Voices of Commitment: Powerful Quotations from Stakeholders
Throughout the sessions, key actors voiced their commitment to data-driven planning and inclusive policy development.
“I want to reaffirm our Ministry’s unwavering commitment to data-driven programming and the efficient allocation of resources. We recognize that credible evidence is the foundation for impactful policies and sustainable results. That is why we are not only embracing the use of data in our planning and decision-making processes but also taking an active leadership role in scaling up costed, high-impact nutrition interventions—both at the national level and across our sub-national structures. Our goal is to ensure that every kobo spent delivers maximum value for the health and development of Nigerians.” said Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi (mni), Director & Head of Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Dr. Chizoba Steve-Edemba, Nutrition Specialist with UNICEF, said “At UNICEF, we remain fully committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen both its maternity protection framework and its broader nutrition systems. We believe that meaningful progress begins with policies that are rooted in credible data and designed through inclusive, collaborative processes. That’s why we place strong emphasis on data-driven policymaking—so that every intervention is informed, targeted, and impactful. We also understand the power of bringing all voices to the table— government, civil society, private sector, and communities—because real, sustainable change happens when everyone is involved and invested. We are proud to stand with Nigeria on this journey toward a healthier, more equitable future for women and children.”
Representing Nutrition International, Dr. Jane Ezeonu stated: “I want to reaffirm Nutrition International’s strong commitment to supporting evidence-based nutrition programming in Nigeria. We believe that lasting impact begins with quality data, sound analysis, and the strategic use of evidence to shape policies and interventions that truly meet the needs of communities. In addition to this, we are equally committed to building and strengthening the capacity of institutions, stakeholders, and frontline actors—because sustainable progress in nutrition depends not just on what we do, but on the ability of local systems to carry it forward. We’re proud to be part of this collective effort to improve nutrition outcomes and look forward to deepening our support in the months ahead.”
One of the most important lessons emerging from the workshop is the power of participatory validation. When stakeholders are involved in reviewing and endorsing evidence, they become co-owners of the process, increasing the likelihood of policy uptake and programmatic implementation. The presence of civil society and academia alongside government officials and international agencies helped foster a richer, more grounded conversation that cut across theory, practice and policy.
With validation achieved, the project team and stakeholders agreed on a series of follow-up actions:
- All groups are to submit their validated inputs and recommendations to ARN-SUNN within one week of the workshop.
- The research team will incorporate these inputs and develop a clean draft of the report, reflecting standardized formatting and aligned insights.
- This version will then be circulated to all participants for final review, after which it will be endorsed and disseminated for use in planning and budgeting—particularly at the state level.
These action points ensure that the validated evidence doesn’t remain in reports but finds its way into strategic policy, advocacy and funding efforts across Nigeria.
This 2-day workshop marks a significant turning point in Nigeria’s nutrition journey. With strong data now validated and stakeholder consensus secured, Nigeria stands better equipped to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely and strengthen its commitment to the health and well-being of women and children. By validating these two critical studies—on nutrition costing and maternity protection—the country not only affirms its dedication to evidence-based policymaking but also unlocks new pathways for funding, legislative reform and cross-sectoral alignment
