The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has raised fresh concern over the scale of child malnutrition in Nigeria, warning that more than 35 percent of children under the age of five are affected.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, NARD described malnutrition as a critical public health crisis that contributes significantly to child mortality. The association noted that the condition affects children’s cognitive development, increases their vulnerability to diseases, and undermines Nigeria’s overall productivity.
According to NARD, ongoing interventions include:
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Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) distribution
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Community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM)
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Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselling
The association highlighted research showing that these approaches significantly boost recovery rates and survival among affected children. “NARD members are at the forefront of implementing and researching malnutrition interventions across Nigeria,” the body stated, while urging greater support for sustainable nutritional programmes nationwide.
The warning comes amid growing national and international concern. In August, the Federal Government described the malnutrition crisis as a national emergency, estimating that it costs Nigeria over $1.5 billion annually in economic losses.
Similarly, in July, Vice President Kashim Shettima said nearly 40 percent of Nigerian children under five are malnourished, stressing that food insecurity is not just about hunger but also about access to safe and nutritious diets critical for education and human capital growth.
International aid groups have also sounded the alarm. In late July, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that more than 600 malnourished children died in northern Nigeria within six months. The group said severe malnutrition cases surged by 208 percent between January and June compared with the previous year, citing reduced foreign aid, rising living costs, and insecurity as key drivers.
NARD emphasized that addressing malnutrition requires urgent and collective action to secure the health and future of Nigerian children.
