The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has supported the Kaduna State Government’s Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) in validating the revised food and nutrition policy 2026–2030.
CS-SUNN also supported the SCFN in validating the Kaduna Multi-sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (KDMSPAN).
The report say that in June 2024, the SCFN reviewed the policy produced in 2017 and set to run until 2025.
At the opening of a five-day validation meeting on Monday in Abuja, Commissioner Mukhtar Ahmed thanked CS-SUNN for its unwavering dedication to nutrition in Kaduna State.
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Ahmed, represented by Mrs Priscilla Dariya, Deputy Director at the Planning and Budget Commission’s Development Aid Coordination Department, said the meeting would encourage knowledge sharing and innovative solutions.
He noted that both the policy and the strategic plan were being brought together for validation and development of the annual operational plan.
The Commissioner said the document was crucial as a five-year guide for implementing nutrition activities across Kaduna State.
He explained that validation would ensure alignment with national policies, global best practices, and state-specific priorities.
Ahmed reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting, protecting, and promoting nutrition, thanking CS-SUNN and other partners for helping tackle malnutrition.
Presenting an overview, the state Nutrition Officer, Mrs Ramatu Haruna, said Kaduna had 2,127,551 children under five years old, including 212,755 aged between six and eleven months.
She added that 1,702,041 were aged twelve to fifty-nine months, alongside 531,888 pregnant women.
Comparing 2018 and 2023/2024 surveys, she noted stunting declined from 48.1 to 40.79 per cent, indicating progress in reducing chronic malnutrition.
However, wasting rose from 4.8 to 5.9 per cent, and underweight increased from 22.1 to 24.7 per cent, showing a decline in children’s nutritional status.
She said Severe Acute Malnutrition prevalence across all LGAs highlighted the urgent need for stronger nutrition interventions.
She urged prioritisation of affected LGAs for targeted prevention and treatment to halt deterioration and improve nutritional outcomes.
CS-SUNN Executive Secretary, Mr Sunday Okoronkwo, stressed that malnutrition impedes cognitive development, weakens immunity, and reduces long-term productivity.
He called for a comprehensive strategy using data-driven solutions and resource mobilisation to address malnutrition.
He said the approach should identify needs, serve as a roadmap, and define roles for government and partners.
He stressed the moral duty to protect vulnerable children and urged serious stakeholder commitment to a workable plan for combating malnutrition.
World Bank ANRiN Project Manager, Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris, expressed support for validating Kaduna’s policy and plan, aligning them with national and state nutrition agendas.
She said the process would incorporate new developments and build on past collaborations.
Muhammad-Idris noted the Human Capital Development Initiative, chaired by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, which focuses on nutritional activities.
She said more issues must be considered during review and validation of the documents.