The Kaduna State Government has approved ₦400 million to complement UNICEF’s support, with all funds directed at combating malnutrition within the state.
Chairman of the Kaduna State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), Mr Bashir Muhammad, made this known on Thursday during a breakfast meeting with key stakeholders.
The meeting focused on adopting the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) and implementing six-month paid maternity leave in Kaduna State.
It was supported by UNICEF and Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).
Muhammad stated that stunting and wasting among children have significantly reduced due to the government’s interventions on nutrition and health.
He explained that the meeting aimed to advocate and sensitise stakeholders on strategies to reduce malnutrition and improve nutrition for children and women.
“We carried out advocacy visits to many MDAs, which yielded positive results. The State Assembly has even formed a committee on food and nutrition,” he said.
He added that legalising relevant policies, including the six-month paid maternity leave already practised in Kaduna, would ensure smooth policy implementation across the state.
“This policy is commendable. It has significantly improved breastfeeding practices among nursing mothers in the state,” Muhammad said.
Muhammad also noted that crèches are crucial for improving child nutrition, citing the Planning and Budget Commission’s crèche as a positive example.
According to him, when mothers return to work, crèches provide a comfortable space for children to be nursed, supporting better nutrition.
He urged for more crèches, particularly in the State Secretariat, Health Ministry, Public Works Ministry, and Kaduna State University.
“We aim to encourage nursing mothers at workplaces, thereby reducing malnutrition levels across the state,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to Gov. Uba Sani and state legislators for their dedication to the wellbeing of children and women.
Earlier, Ms Jessica Bartholomew, CS-SUNN’s State Coordinator, said the meeting’s purpose was to unlock more resources for nutrition funding.
She said CS-SUNN has worked to improve nutrition financing and deemed it vital to bring stakeholders together for updates on funding gaps and needs.
“Gov. Uba Sani’s ₦400 million child nutrition matching grant is among Nigeria’s highest, reflecting his dedication,” she said.
She added that plans are underway to establish a nutrition department in primary health care and within the Planning and Budget Commission.
“This discussion is ongoing. We’re advocating to ensure all plans are implemented and make tangible impacts,” Bartholomew stated.
In a goodwill message, UNICEF’s Nutrition Specialist, Chinwe Ezeife, said UNICEF supports Kaduna’s efforts through multiple nutrition-related initiatives.
She highlighted the importance of prevention, integration, and scaling up services to effectively address malnutrition in Kaduna.
Ezeife said UNICEF is collaborating with government bodies, civil society, and stakeholders to ensure nutrition policies are legalised and enforced.
Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Jessy Tanko, praised the state’s progress in improving nutrition outcomes.
Tanko said the Assembly recognises nutrition’s role in healthy development, especially for women and children, and pledged legislative support.
“We will ensure nutrition policies are legalised and effectively implemented to reduce malnutrition in Kaduna State,” Tanko said.
