HeadlineNews.News Special Report
Feeding the Future: A Roadmap to Ending Child Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria
By Dr. G. A. Fraser. MFR May 2025
As Northern Nigeria faces a deepening malnutrition crisis, state governments are under increasing pressure to shift from emergency response to strategic, multi-phase solutions. While national policies have long acknowledged the problem, implementation at the state level remains fragmented and underfunded. Experts now agree: without urgent short, medium, and long-term interventions, the North risks losing a generation of children—and with them, the nation’s future.
The Short-Term Response: Emergency Nutrition and Rapid Support
In the immediate term, state governments must scale up emergency nutrition interventions across conflict-prone and food-insecure regions. This includes:
Distributing Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) at all Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
Supporting mobile clinics in IDP camps and rural areas.
Deploying community-based nutrition workers to identify and treat malnourished children early.
UNICEF estimates that 250,000 children in Nigeria are suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). In Sokoto, Zamfara, and Borno, admissions to malnutrition wards have surged by over 40% since 2022.
“We cannot continue to respond with charity. States must treat malnutrition as an emergency requiring immediate government-led action,” says Dr. Amiida Fraser, MFR, a public health advocate. “Short-term interventions save lives, but only when well-coordinated, well-funded, and community-led.”
State governments can replicate the success of countries like Sudan and Bangladesh, which deployed widespread RUTF and vitamin supplementation programs within months of crisis, with UNICEF and WHO support.
The Medium-Term Strategy: Strengthening Systems and Local Capacity
Over the next 12 to 36 months, state governments must transition from relief to resilience:
Invest in PHC infrastructure—ensure electricity, clean water, and essential drugs in rural clinics.
Implement school feeding programs, particularly in states with high out-of-school rates.
Launch public nutrition education for mothers and caregivers.
Create and sustain Local Nutrition Action Plans tied to budget lines.
According to the World Bank, school feeding in low-income countries increases enrolment by 9% and improves nutrition in children under 12. In Ghana, a similar program reduced malnutrition-related school dropouts by 45% in five years.
“We’ve seen what works elsewhere. What’s missing here is political will and coordinated execution,” notes Beatrice Kwere, former Kebbi State Nutrition Officer. “If state governors can align health, education, and agriculture to one goal—well-fed children—they can change outcomes fast.”
The Long-Term Vision: Food Systems, Governance and Economic Equity
Long-term solutions require structural change. States must:
Prioritize agriculture for nutrition, not just exports.
Strengthen rural livelihoods through irrigation, storage, and market access.
Embed nutrition goals into state development plans.
Tackle early marriage and girl-child education, major determinants of child health.
“Malnutrition is not a health problem—it’s a failure of the entire system,” said Prof. Garba Ashiru, Chief Consultant at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. “If we do not build a future where every child has access to nutritious food, education, and healthcare, we will keep treating symptoms forever.”
Countries like Vietnam reduced stunting from 43% in 1990 to 24% by 2010 through coordinated national planning, agricultural diversification, and mother-focused nutrition campaigns.
The Role of the Federal Government
The Federal Government must play a supporting role by:
Establishing a National Malnutrition Emergency Fund accessible to states.
Ensuring uninterrupted supply chains for RUTF and essential health items.
Expanding conditional cash transfer programs tied to child nutrition and immunization.
Convening quarterly Governors’ Nutrition Summits to track progress and share best practices.
“What affects Northern Nigeria today will affect the rest of Nigeria tomorrow. Starving children today become displaced youths tomorrow, searching for food and stability wherever they can find it,” Dr. Fraser warned. “We must act now—collectively, strategically, and urgently.”
Conclusion: A Test of Leadership
Malnutrition is no longer a silent killer. It is an indictment of policy failure, governance gaps, and misplaced priorities. But it is also an opportunity—a rallying point for unity and leadership.
Northern governors must treat this as a state of emergency. With political courage, cross-sector collaboration, and federal backing, Northern Nigeria can reverse the trend faster than expected—and chart a future where every child not only survives, but thrives.
“The Eden Irrigation System has proven to be a transformative tool for boosting food security, particularly for smallholder farmers,” says Princess G. Fraser, MFR.
“With the capacity to increase yields by up to 300% on even modest plots of land, this technology offers an ideal solution for small-scale growers and communities facing food shortages. I urge the Federal Government to consider adopting the Eden system as a targeted intervention to combat food insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
Our children cannot thrive on empty stomachs. Proper nutrition is the foundation for survival, learning, and national growth. Feeding them must become our highest priority.”
This report is part of HeadlineNews.News’ Nutrition and Development Series.
Dr. G. A Fraser. MFR
The National Patriots.
“Feeding the Future: How Northern States Can End Malnutrition Through Smart Planning” When there is a will, there will always be a way. Northern leaders, State Government ought to demonstrate the goodwill and take the bull by the horns now. This is a critical situation and the suggestions in this article make a lot of sense if utilized. – Dr. Amiida.
“Ending Hunger, Restoring Hope: A Strategic Blueprint for Northern Nigeria’s Nutrition Crisis”- the situation requires a strategic multipronged approach to tackle this crisis. It’s unfortunate that things were left to degenerate to this point. Nigerians must rise to assist in anyway possible. Headlinenews.news.
“From Crisis to Cure: A Roadmap to Tackling Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria” It is important to think outside the box if one expects to address this problem but the State Governments ought to show the goodwill to act. We shall continue to assist with ideas and publish progress. The National Patriots.
“Malnutrition Emergency: What Northern States Must Do Now, Next, and Beyond”- I agree with these suggestions. Excellent report. I hope the State Governments and Federal Government will adopt them soonest. Thank you.
Hajiya Amina Adamu.
“Northern Nigeria’s Hunger Crisis: A Call to Action for Governors and the Federal Government”. Leaders have turned their attention away from the gravity of this condition but there is Hope to do the needful now with all the facts raised in this write-up by the National Patriots through Dr. Fraser. Thank you for the wake-up call. Its up to all of us now. Prof. Mohammed
“Starving No More: Healing Northern Nigeria’s Children Through Policy, Not Pity” all stakeholders in Northern Nigeria must rise up to this challenge immediately. It’s is very depressing reading this. No region should have this level of inhumanity. It’s unbelievable. – Retired Ambassador from Northern Nigeria.
“The Silent War on Children: Winning Nigeria’s Battle Against Malnutrition” This is a commendable report and we hope the Nigerian authorities in the North will adopt it. There is enough aid being given to Northern State Governments to address this issue, but without accountability, these funds hasvent been used judiciously as the results are not visible. – UN official.
“Hope on the Table: How Nigeria Can Feed Its Future Before It’s Too Late” It is time to act now. The Northern States have received huge allocations since President Tinubu resumed Office and have no excuse for this show of Shane. It’s totally unacceptable. What are they doing with their allocation? Corruption is inexcusable with this level of health emergency. Tinubu as a humanitarian would surely support but the Governors must act. The media should monitor their initiatives, investigate and publish them. I like HeadlineNews.News. Very objective professional news.