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Nigeria, often celebrated as the Giant of Africa, paradoxically bears the heavy burden of being one of the world’s most malnourished nations. Despite its vast resources and economic potential, the country has the second-highest burden of malnutrition globally (according to UNICEF). Millions of children suffer from stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, while food insecurity continues to plague households. This stark contradiction raises an urgent question: How can Africa’s largest economy struggle to nourish its own people?

Malnutrition not only affects individual well-being but also has far-reaching economic and social consequences. Addressing this issue requires a multi-sectoral approach involving government, private sector, development partners, civil society and our communities! This blog explores the state of nutrition and food security in Nigeria, government efforts, existing gaps, and the critical role played by the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) in advocating for sustainable solutions.

The Nutritional Landscape in Nigeria.

Malnutrition remains a pressing public health issue in Nigeria, with various forms affecting different vulnerable population groups. According to UNICEF, malnutrition contributes to nearly half of child deaths in the country. The 2023-2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reveals that four out of every ten (40%) Nigerian children under five suffer from stunting, an increase from 37% recorded in the NDHS 2018. Additionally, 8% suffer wasting (about one in every 10 children), compared to 7% in 2018. 22% of children under five were underweight according to that survey in 2018 with 25% now underweight in the 2023/2024 data. This rise underscores the escalating malnutrition crisis in Nigeria.

The 2022 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey reveals that 55% of adolescent girls and women suffer from anaemia. Additionally, nearly half of Nigerian women of reproductive age do not meet the recommended diet of at least five of the ten essential food groups. Men are also impacted, as the 2022 Global Nutrition Report notes that 23.7% of Nigerian men are overweight.

Food insecurity exacerbates these problems, as many Nigerians lack access to affordable and have no knowledge on the utilization of nutritious food. Rising inflation, conflicts in food-producing regions, and climate change have further limited food availability. The 2022 Cadre Harmonise analysis published by the government shows that 17 million Nigerians are suffering from acute food insecurity, and this is likely to increase to 25 million in lean season this year (FMARD, 2022). Without urgent intervention, the nutritional and food crisis could worsen.

Government Initiatives to Combat Malnutrition

Recognizing the urgent need to address malnutrition, the Nigerian government has introduced several commendable initiatives to improve nutrition outcomes. Key efforts include:

• Approval of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition to provide a strategic framework for tackling malnutrition.
• Establishment of nutrition departments in key ministries to strengthen policy implementation.
• The Nutrition 774 Initiative, which focuses on strengthening nutrition interventions at the grassroots level.
• Creation of various nutrition and food security task forces, ensuring cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Implementation of supplementation and food fortification programs, such as vitamin A supplementation and fortification of staples like flour and salt.
• The National Policy on Food and Nutrition and the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition; providing a framework for addressing malnutrition and food insecurity at all levels and outlining strategies and responsibilities for various sectors and stakeholders to improve multisectoral collaboration in the fight against malnutrition.

Alongside a host of others, while these programs are commendable, implementation challenges have limited their overall impact.

Identifying the Gaps in Nigeria’s Nutrition Efforts

Despite these government efforts, several gaps continue to hinder progress in tackling malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.

1. Poor Policy Implementation: Although Nigeria has comprehensive nutrition policies, weak coordination and bureaucratic bottlenecks have resulted in poor implementation of these policies.
2. Inadequate Funding: The health and nutrition sector in Nigeria remains underfunded, with most interventions relying on donor support. Insufficient, delayed, non-releases and non-cash backing of allocated often lead to disruptions in implementation of critical nutrition programs and interventions that can curb malnutrition.
3. Low Public Awareness: Many households do not fully understand the importance adequate nutrition including optimal maternal, infant and young child feeding practices, dietary diversity among others. This low awareness has contributed to persistent malnutrition, particularly in rural areas. Strengthening nutrition education and community outreach programs is essential to changing dietary behaviours.

The Impact of Malnutrition

The consequences of malnutrition in Nigeria are severe, affecting health, economic productivity, and social development.

Child Mortality and Morbidity:

1. Four in Ten children under five in Nigeria is stunted (too short for age), a sign of chronic undernutrition. (NDHS 2023-34)
2. Wasting, which is a strong predictor of child mortality, affects about 8% of under-five children.
3. Malnutrition contributes to 45% of all deaths in children under five globally. In Nigeria, this translates to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths annually.
4. Malnutrition weakens immune systems, increasing susceptibility to diseases and infections.

This is not merely a health concern—it is a long-term developmental crisis for many children, robbing them of the opportunity to fully realise their physical growth and cognitive potential throughout life.

Economic Impact:

1. Loss in National Productivity: According to the World Bank, Nigeria loses over US$1.5 billion annually due to reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and premature deaths caused by malnutrition.
2. Adults who were stunted as children earn 20% less in wages than those not affected, compounding poverty over generations.
3. Malnutrition reduces national GDP by up to 11% annually—more than any single disease burden.

Whereas investing $1 in nutrition interventions yields up to $16 in economic returns, according to World Bank.

 Educational Setback: Malnutrition Fuels Learning Poverty:

• Cognitive Development and School Performance: Malnourished children perform poorly in school due to impaired brain development, reduced attention span, and frequent illness.

Intergenerational Cycle of Malnutrition and Poverty:

When girls and women are undernourished, the consequences are inherited as a malnourished girl today becomes a malnourished mother tomorrow, giving birth to an undernourished child and the cycle continues. Malnutrition perpetuates poverty cycles, as affected families struggle with high medical expenses and reduced earning capacity, leading to generational poverty.

CS-SUNN’s Role in Enhancing Nutrition and Food Security

CS-SUNN has been at the forefront of advocating for improved nutrition policies, increased funding, and better implementation of government programs. As a leading civil society alliance, CS-SUNN engages policymakers, development partners, and local communities to ensure that nutrition remains a national priority.

Key Areas of Focus

• Advocacy: CS-SUNN actively pushes for increased investment in nutrition by engaging government agencies, legislative bodies, and donor organizations. Through policy dialogues, the alliance has contributed to shaping and holding government accountable to implementation of nutrition policies that addresses the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable populations.
• Capacity Building: CS-SUNN strengthens the capabilities of civil society organizations (CSOs) to effectively engage in nutrition advocacy. By training CSOs on policy analysis, budget tracking, and program implementation, CS-SUNN ensures that nutrition interventions are evidence-based, and funds are utilized for the interventions they are meant to address.
• Mobilizing Civil Society Action for Nutrition:  The alliance plays a key role in raising awareness and mobilizing action on nutrition issues across the country. With a strong network of over 400 civil society organizations working across Nigeria’s 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory, CS-SUNN is driving community-level change that supports better health, food, and nutrition for all.

Through its network, CS-SUNN brings nutrition messages closer to the people—from local villages and wards to state and even at federal level—ensuring that families, women, youth, and community leaders are informed, engaged, and empowered to take action on malnutrition.

Collaborative Efforts with the Government

CS-SUNN has built strong partnerships with government ministries, agencies, and international organizations to promote food and nutrition security. Its major collaborations have been with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and a host of others to push for improved nutrition financing and policy implementation. Additionally, CS-SUNN has worked closely with state governments to domesticate national nutrition policies, ensuring that interventions align with local contexts.

Challenges Faced by CS-SUNN

While CS-SUNN has made significant progress, challenges persist.

• Limited funding affects the allaince’s ability to expand its programs and sustain advocacy efforts.
• Navigating Nigeria’s complex political landscape requires strategic engagement with multiple stakeholders, some of whom may have conflicting interests.
• Ensuring long-term behavior change among communities remains a challenge. While awareness campaigns have increased knowledge, translating this into sustained action requires continuous engagement and support.

What Needs to Be Done?

To further enhance food security and nutrition, Nigeria must prioritize sustained funding for nutrition programs, improve policy implementation, and expand public education initiatives.

Malnutrition and food insecurity remain critical challenges in Nigeria, but with concerted efforts from government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders, significant progress can be made. Beyond government’s current intervention’s including CS-SUNN’s role in advocacy, a more coordinated and well-funded approach is essential to ensuring a food and nutrition secure Nigeria.

Release and Utilize Nutrition Funds Timely and Transparently: Transparent and timely disbursement of allocated funds is key to scaling up lifesaving nutrition interventions. It is also important to invest more in nutrition to match the rising burden of malnutrition. The Child Nutrition Fund provides a window of opportunity for state governments to match funds with donors to scale up high-impact nutrition interventions. Moreso, a well-funded nutrition system is foundational to national development and child survival.

Extend Paid Maternity Leave to Six Months Nationwide: This is a critical step to protect the first 1,000 days of life—where nutrition has the highest impact. Governments at the Federal and state level should extend maternity leave to six months with full pay for civil servants, to promote exclusive breastfeeding and improve infant health outcomes.

Strengthen Nutrition Governance through Legislative Oversight and Policy Reforms: Legislators in Nigeria need to prioritize nutrition by reviewing existing laws, institutionalizing nutrition in the tasks of the relevant committees and conducting regular oversight on implementation and budget performance because laws and oversight are key levers to sustain political commitment to nutrition.

Scale Up Multisectoral Collaboration and Community Mobilization: Nutrition is not the work of one ministry—it requires all sectors, one plan, one platform. It is important for al relevant MDAs, CSOs, and private sector actors to work together through structured platforms at state and LGA levels to coordinate and scale nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.

Expand Access to Maternal Micronutrients and Nutrition Services:  Preventing anemia and undernutrition in women is critical to breaking intergenerational cycles of malnutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) is key. Policymakers need to prioritize the availability of MMS (MMS) for pregnant women across Nigeria and improve domestic financing for essential nutrition services.