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Youth engagement strategy

Youth-led nutrition impact, built for every state in Nigeria

A nationwide, youth-powered movement for nutrition: advocacy, community action, policy engagement, digital mobilisation and inclusive development, led by young people in all 36 states and the FCT.

Young advocates, including a member with crutches, seated together and smiling
36 + FCTStates and the FCT in scope for the national scale-up
5Mutually reinforcing strategic pillars
0Groups left behind: adolescents and persons with disabilities are included by design

Overview

From pilot to national infrastructure

A scalable national model for youth-led nutrition action

CS-SUNN has tested an inclusive youth engagement model that is ready to roll out nationally, across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. It treats young people, including adolescents, young women, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups, as drivers of better nutrition outcomes: through advocacy, stronger community systems, accountability and behaviour change.

The framework places youth at the centre of Nigeria’s nutrition response, with equity and leaving no one behind as its organising principles.

Who the model reaches

  • Adolescents
  • Young women
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Marginalised and underserved groups

Strategic framework

Five pillars, mutually reinforcing

The strategy rests on five interdependent pillars, designed for scale, sustainability and inclusion. Each one makes the others stronger.

1

Capacity strengthening

Train young advocates, including adolescents and young people with disabilities, in nutrition, advocacy, budget tracking and leadership, so they can lead change in their own communities.

2

Community dialogues

Bring young people, families, traditional and religious leaders and health workers together to talk about nutrition, challenge harmful norms and hold local services to account.

3

Policy and financing

Equip youth to engage lawmakers and ministries, track nutrition budgets and push for policies and funding that reach the people most at risk.

4

Digital mobilisation

Use social media, campaigns and digital tools to share accurate nutrition information, amplify young voices and build support at scale.

5

Systems strengthening

Build youth participation into state nutrition committees, CS-SUNN state chapters and government planning, so the work continues beyond any single project.

SUN Youth Network · Nigeria

Meet the youth leaders driving change

Advocates, strategists and builders working where nutrition, policy and community meet, across Nigeria and beyond.

HR Analyst & People OperationsCS-SUNN · SUN Youth Network Nigeria

HR Analytics | People Operations | Workforce Reporting | Organisational Development

HR & Administrative ProfessionalCS-SUNN · SUN Youth Network Nigeria

HR & Administration | Front Office Operations | Records Management | Logistics Coordination

Dietitian-Nutritionist & Youth Advocate CS-SUNNSUN Youth Network Nigeria

Nutrition Governance | Policy Advocacy | SUN Movement | Capacity Building

Public Health Professional CS-SUNNSUN Youth Network Nigeria

Community Development | Program Coordination | Stakeholder Engagement | Youth Engagement

Product Designer & IT SpecialistCS-SUNN · SUN Youth Network Nigeria

UI/UX Design | Product Development | Branding | ICT Support

Registered Dietitian & Programs Volunteer, CS-SUNNSUN Youth Network Nigeria

Maternal & Child Nutrition | Food Systems | Evidence & Policy | NCD Prevention

Value proposition

A cost-effective, field-tested model, built to scale

Proven on the ground

Field-tested and inclusive, with results shown in very different implementation settings.

Aligned to national and global agendas

Consistent with Nigeria’s nutrition priorities and with global nutrition and equity commitments.

Built to scale

Designed to work across Nigeria’s many social, cultural and demographic contexts.

Built to last

Sustained through systems integration and inclusive capacity building, not one-off activities.

Investing in this model unlocks the potential of Nigeria’s diverse young people and makes sure no group is left out of the fight against malnutrition.

Conclusion

From advocates to architects of national nutrition progress

By combining capacity building, community engagement, policy advocacy, digital mobilisation and institutional integration, with a deliberate focus on marginalised groups, the model is set up for lasting, nationwide impact. Scaling it across all 36 states and the FCT would strengthen nutrition outcomes and give Nigeria a replicable, equity-driven blueprint for youth-led development.

36states+1FCT=1youth-led blueprint