The Delta Government has begun implementing the Federal Government’s N-774 Initiative to reduce child malnutrition in rural communities across the state.
State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this during a one-day high-level meeting on integrated multi-sectoral nutrition programmes on Thursday in Asaba.
Launched in February 2025, the N-774 Initiative aims to extend nutrition programme benefits to grassroots communities in all 774 Local Government Areas of the country. The initiative adopts a bottom-up, multi-sectoral approach targeting children, with the goal of reducing child malnutrition by 50 per cent by 2030.
The meeting, themed “Operationalising the N-774 Initiative and Establishment of Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition (LGFNs),” was attended by key stakeholders.
Ekedayen, represented by the state’s UNICEF Focal Person, Dr. Jomo Ikpen, said the meeting aimed to strengthen the initiative’s implementation in the state.
“This is serious business, considering the importance of nutrition to human capital development and other socio-economic indices. We are doing quite well in nutritional activities, having benefited from UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund, with N100 million committed. This meeting is not for praise-singing, but a time to learn from each other,” he said.
The commissioner warned that malnutrition rates in Nigeria, including the South-South region, remain alarming, particularly in rural areas. He pledged to prioritise implementing the meeting’s outcomes and commended UNICEF for its support.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Martina Amromanoh, described the meeting’s theme as apt, timely, and necessary. “I am confident this collaboration will continue beyond this meeting,” she said.
UNICEF Programme Director Muhammad Okorie cited NDHS 2023/2024 data showing high malnutrition levels in the South-South region, with some states recording rates up to 27.6 per cent, far above the 10 per cent average stunting rate.
Okorie stressed that operationalising the N-774 Initiative and establishing functional Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition is critical. “Ultimately, the success of the N-774 Initiative will depend on strong political leadership and ownership across sectors,” he said.
He highlighted key sectors including health, education, agriculture, WASH, social protection, finance, and planning, urging participants to translate discussions into actionable commitments.
“We stand ready to continue this journey with you as a trusted partner,” Okorie added, emphasising the goal of ensuring every child survives, thrives, and reaches their full potential. He encouraged states yet to access the Child Nutrition Fund to do so.
The meeting featured sessions on regional nutrition data, UNICEF Nigeria priorities for 2026–2027, and discussions on implementation strategies and child nutrition matching funds.
