Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially inaugurated the State Nutrition Council, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to integrating nutrition into development planning to improve health outcomes and strengthen human capital.
Speaking on Tuesday in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Otti said the council, which he chairs, would drive the implementation of the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 (N-774) initiative in the state.
The N-774 initiative is a multi-sectoral programme designed to promote coordination, political will, and sustainable funding for nutrition across all levels of government.
The governor described nutrition as vital for public health, productivity, and economic growth, urging systematic tracking of nutrition indicators across relevant sectors.
He welcomed the initiative, noting that current state efforts align with the objectives of the N-774 programme.
He admitted that his administration had not deliberately tracked nutrition data but pledged a new direction.
“Now that you have come here, you’ve helped us begin to monitor our numbers deliberately,” he stated.
He also instructed the Budget and Planning Commissioner to tag nutrition programmes in the 2025 fiscal plan for improved tracking.
“Our 2025 budget is green — climate-compliant and nutrition-compliant. We’ve raised nutrition allocation to ₦3.4 billion from an average of ₦1.3 billion,” he said.
He said 15 per cent of the budget goes to healthcare, while 20 per cent supports education, highlighting investment in human capital sectors.
He urged the Council to ensure proper coordination, monitor outcomes, and improve nutrition service delivery across the state.
“This is a direct intervention and you’re monitoring the outcomes — that is critical,” Otti stated.
Earlier, Dr Uju Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Public Health and Nutrition, described malnutrition as a global health threat.
She said it accounts for 45 per cent of child deaths globally and causes Nigeria to lose an estimated $1.5 billion annually.
Anwukah explained that N-774 is community-driven and focused on sustainable, coordinated nutrition efforts nationwide.
She said their visit supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Health Agenda and underscores the urgency of addressing malnutrition.
Anwukah praised Abia’s increased nutrition budget — from ₦231 million in 2022 to ₦1.35 billion in 2024.
She described the state’s model as an “emerging best practice” and urged continued action against malnutrition.
The news also reported that the Council includes ministry representatives and will oversee nutrition-focused development planning in the state.