Nutrition: Key to Health, Equity and Development in Nigeria.
Day 1 Recap
On the morning of July 24, 2025, the Dover Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, came alive with the arrival of lawmakers, technocrats, development partners, and civil society leaders from across Nigeria.
From Benue to Zamfara, Enugu to Jigawa, they gathered not just to attend another strategic policy event but to confront one of the country’s most urgent development challenges: malnutrition.
The two-day Strategic Policy Dialogue on Nutrition and Food Security was convened by Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), with support from UNICEF, Nutrition International, and FHI 360. The theme, “Nutrition: Key to Health, Equity and Development in Nigeria,” was not just a slogan. It was a call to action.
The dialogue had six clear objectives
Participants represented ten focal states, each grappling with its own nutrition challenges. The urgency was underscored by the latest National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2024), which revealed that one in two deaths among Nigerian children under five is linked to malnutrition. The statistics were sobering. Katsina recorded the highest stunting rate, with six out of ten children affected. Benue led in exclusive breastfeeding rates at 56.8%; a figure closely tied to lower child mortality. Enugu had the highest prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age, while Zamfara showed alarming levels of childhood anaemia.
The dialogue wasn’t just about sharing data; it was about shaping decisions. Legislators came ready to engage, not just observe. Around the room were people with the power to move budgets, pass laws, and hold systems accountable. As participants settled into their seats, there was a quiet but unmistakable sense of purpose. This wasn’t business as usual. It was a moment to reset the narrative.
As the hall settled into quiet attention, the first voice to rise was that of Mr. Sodangi Chindo, Steering Committee Chairman of CS-SUNN. His welcome was not just ceremonial but intentional. He looked across the room at the lawmakers, development partners, and civil society leaders and reminded them of the power they held.
Key Takeaway
His words carried weight. From the outset, Sodangi Chindo made it clear that this gathering was about responsibility. Nutrition, he emphasized, is a development priority that demands legislative attention, budgetary action, and institutional ownership. The people in the room had the authority to shape outcomes, and he called on them to use it.
His remarks set the tone for two days of focused dialogue, data-driven presentations, and bold commitments. He urged participants to move from conversation to concrete steps. The applause that followed reflected more than agreement. It signaled readiness.
The Keynote That Set the Bar
The keynote address was delivered by Hon. Tolulope Ige, Chairman of the Forum of Chairpersons of Committees on Nutrition and Food Security of State Houses of Assembly.
His message was clear. Legislators, he said, must move beyond symbolic support and become champions of nutrition through lawmaking, budget oversight, and policy enforcement. He reminded the room that the power to change nutrition outcomes lies not in distant institutions, but in the hands of those elected to serve.
Legislators are more than policy influencers. We are the architects of change,” he said. “If nutrition is truly the foundation of health and development, then our laws, budgets, and oversight must reflect that urgency. This dialogue is our opportunity to lead from the front.
Hon. Tolulope Ige, Chairman of the Forum of Chairpersons of Committees on Nutrition and Food Security of State Houses of Assembly.
Insights That Moved
the Room
Sunday Okoronkwo: Accountability in Focus
Next came Sunday Okoronkwo, Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, who presented an update on commitments made during previous legislative retreats. His presentation was titled
“Tracking Progress: Fulfilled and Pending Commitments from Past Dialogues.”
Dr. Chizoba Steve-Edemba: Financing Nutrition
The final presentation of the day came from Dr. Chizoba Steve-Edemba, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist. Her topic was
“The Child Nutrition Fund: A Game-Changer for State-Level Financing.”
This room represents the most important link between policy and people,” he said. “You are legislators with the power to change outcomes that are currently costing us lives, money, and futures.
Mr. Sodangi Chindo Steering Committee Chairman ,CS-SUNN