Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Nigeria–Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Addis Ababa, which focused on “Moving the Needle on Nutrition.”
VP Shettima said Nigeria would strengthen the implementation of the Nutrition 774 Initiative by applying practical lessons from Ethiopia’s experience in tackling malnutrition, strengthening food systems and coordinating nutrition interventions across different levels of government.
He said; “the knowledge gained from the three-day Nutrition forum would be adapted to Nigeria’s realities, particularly in strengthening collaboration among the federal government, states and local governments, in order to improve nutrition outcomes at the community and household levels.”
The Vice President also highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen nutrition financing, accountability and subnational implementation, stressing that improved nutrition is critical to human capital development, productivity and economic growth.
VP Shettima said; “the real measure of the exchange would be how effectively the lessons are translated into improved outcomes for Nigerian families, particularly women and children, through stronger implementation of Nutrition 774 across the country.”
The final day of the exchange focused on early childhood development, with engagements covering pre-primary education, healthcare, daycare and parental coaching, followed by a working session on translating lessons from Ethiopia into concrete commitments for the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
The programme culminated in a Nigeria Country Session and a joint closing ceremony attended by VP Shettima and Deputy Prime Minister Tiruneh, during which both countries reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cooperation and knowledge exchange on nutrition and development.
The Nigerian delegation included the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi; Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal; Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke; and Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, among others
