As CS-SUNN prepares for the rollout of the Partnership for Improving Nutrition in Northern States (PINNS) 3.0, stakeholders gathered in Abuja for a five-day strategic workshop this March, to lay the groundwork for the project’s implementation. The workshop, convened by CS-SUNN, brought together over 30 participants from the six focal states—Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Lagos, and the newly inducted Bauchi State—alongside CS-SUNN leadership, secretariat staff, and the SUN Academic Research Network (SUN ARN). Over five days, participants engaged in intensive sessions to review workplans, develop strategies, and strengthen collaboration for advancing nutrition outcomes in Nigeria.
Welcoming Bauchi State into the PINNS 3.0 Project:
A significant highlight of the workshop was the induction of Bauchi State into the PINNS 3.0 project, marking a critical step towards expanding CS-SUNN’s nutrition advocacy footprint. Bauchi, with its pressing nutrition challenges and the need for stronger multi-sectoral coordination, was warmly welcomed by the five existing PINNS states and urged to leverage their mentorship for effective implementation. This expansion reflects CS-SUNN’s commitment to ensuring no state is left behind in the fight against malnutrition.
In a welcome Remark, CS-SUNN Steering Committee Chairman, Sodangi Chindo said “I welcome you as we embark on the PINNS 3.0 project, building on the remarkable progress made in PINNS 1.0 and 2.0. Through strategic advocacy and collaboration, we have successfully influenced nutrition financing and budget performance across five states, contributing to improved nutrition outcomes and better health indicators both at state and national levels. CS-SUNN’s leadership and partnerships have placed nutrition at the forefront of policy discussions, ensuring greater commitment from stakeholders across the country. As we move forward, PINNS 3.0 presents an opportunity to scale up our impact, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and drive evidence-based advocacy to sustain progress in Nigeria’s nutrition landscape.”
Goodwill messages were delivered by key stakeholders, including the SUN Academic Research Network and other development partners. CS-SUNN was commended for her unwavering commitment to nutrition advocacy, particularly in securing increased nutrition financing across states. Recognition was also given to the alliance’s role in placing nutrition at the forefront of policy discussions in Nigeria.
Overview of the PINNS 3.0 Project:
CS-SUNN Executive Secretary, Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo, in a presentation explained that the Partnership for Improving Nigeria’s Nutrition Systems (PINNS 3.0) Project builds on the successes of its previous phases (PINNS 1.0 & PINNS 2.0) by refining its focus on multi-sectoral partnerships, improved governance, and sustainable financing for nutrition. The project, he said aligns with Nigeria’s Human Capital Development (HCD) Strategy, to drive impactful nutrition interventions that contribute to national development goals by 2030. According to Okoronkwo “by adopting the RESET4iHCD approach—which stands for Result-Oriented, Effective, Serviceable, Efficient, and Transparent interventions for improved Human Capital Development—PINNS 3.0 seeks to strengthen existing nutrition structures and ensure better outcomes for vulnerable populations”.
The Executive Secretary further highlighted that PINNS 3.0 is particularly focused on reducing anemia among women of reproductive age and children under five. He noted that recognizing the link between nutrition and economic growth, the project will intensify efforts to promote low-cost, high-impact nutrition interventions, including exclusive breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding, iron-folate supplementation, multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), and food fortification. “By 2027, the project aims to achieve a 30% increase in domestic nutrition financing, integrate MMS into national antenatal care guidelines, and enhance the capacity of Civil Society Alliances (CSAs) to drive sustainable advocacy efforts. PINNS 3.0 will be implemented at both the national level and in focal states such as Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, and Bauchi, ensuring a widespread impact on Nigeria’s nutrition landscape”, he added.
Reviewing the PINNS 3.0 Workplan: Aligning Strategies for Impact
The workshop kicked off with a thorough review of the PINNS 3.0 workplan, ensuring that activities remained aligned with the project’s broader goals. Participants revisited key milestones and outcomes, assessed gaps, and harmonized strategies for more efficient implementation. The review process emphasized accountability, evidence-based advocacy, and sustainability, reinforcing the project’s role in influencing budgetary allocations for nutrition across focal states. A critical component of this plan was the review of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework, ensuring that progress is tracked, and impact is measured effectively.
Developing Bauchi State’s Workplan:
As a new entrant into the PINNS project, Bauchi State needed a comprehensive workplan to guide its activities. Through a collaborative and participatory approach, stakeholders worked diligently to identify priorities, set achievable targets, and outline advocacy strategies and activities for implementation.
Annual Operational Plan Review/Strengthening CS-SUNN’s Advocacy Roadmap:
In addition to reviewing state-level workplans, the CS-SUNN Annual Operational Plan (AOP) was reassessed. This session provided an opportunity to fine-tune the alliance’s advocacy direction, ensuring synergy between state-level and national efforts. The review, focused on resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, aligning CS-SUNN’s strategy with emerging nutrition priorities in Nigeria.
Harnessing Research for Nutrition Advocacy: The Role of the SUN Academic Research Network:
The involvement of the SUN Academic Research Network (SUN ARN) in the workshop reinforced the importance of research-driven advocacy in nutrition. A key session was dedicated to exploring ways to integrate research findings into policy discussions, ensuring that advocacy efforts are data-driven and impactful. The SUN ARN team shared insights on metrics for measuring policy influence, best practices in evidence generation, and strategies for bridging the gap between research and advocacy.
Beyond reviewing plans and strategies, the workshop also provided an opportunity for capacity strengthening. Participants engaged in interactive group sessions, sharing experiences and best practices from their respective states. The need for enhanced multi-sectoral collaboration was a recurring theme, with calls to extend capacity-building efforts beyond the six PINNS states to ensure broader impact.
Key Takeaways from the Workshop
The strategic discussions resulted in several key takeaways, setting the stage for the official launch of PINNS 3.0 project. Below are some of the key takeaways from the workshop:
- Finalization and harmonization of the PINNS 3.0 workplan to guide implementation across focal states.
- Development of Bauchi’s workplan, with strong mentorship support from experienced PINNS states.
- Increased reliance on research for advocacy, ensuring data-driven decision-making and policy influence.
- Enhancement of multi-sectoral collaboration, strengthening governance structures for effective policy execution.
- Alignment of CS-SUNN’s national operational plan with state-level interventions to maximize impact.
Next Steps: Preparing for the Official Launch of PINNS 3.0:
As the workshop concluded, stakeholders outlined clear next steps to ensure the seamless launch of PINNS 3.0 project.
- Finalizing and disseminating the harmonized PINNS 3.0 workplan to all stakeholders.
- Developing a robust MEAL framework for tracking progress and evaluating impact.
- Conducting an inception meeting to officially kick-start the implementation phase.
- Strengthening engagement with policymakers and key partners to secure resources for implementation.
By bringing together state actors, civil society, and academia, CS-SUNN through the PINNS 3.0 workshop laid the foundation for a unified, research-backed, and action-oriented approach to improving nutrition governance in Nigeria and beyond. With PINNS 3.0 set to launch, the next phase will focus on translating strategies into action for measurable impact, ensuring that nutrition remains a priority in policy discussions and resource allocation.
As participants return to their respective states, the impact of the workshop will be reflected in strategic execution, improved policy engagement, and strengthened collaboration. With a clear roadmap, dedicated stakeholders, and a commitment to evidence-based advocacy, CS-SUNN in collaboration with nutrition partners is set to drive meaningful progress in Nigeria’s fight against malnutrition.
