By our correspondent
In a decisive move to tackle malnutrition in Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governors, ministers, local government chairmen, and private sector stakeholders to take urgent action in addressing the crisis.
Speaking at the 148th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Vice President officially launched the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a comprehensive program aimed at ensuring nationwide access to lifesaving nutrition interventions.
Describing malnutrition as a major barrier to national development, Shettima highlighted its devastating effects beyond the health sector, linking it to reduced productivity, learning challenges, and economic setbacks.
He pointed to alarming statistics, revealing that 40% of Nigerian children under five suffer from stunting, 8% from wasting, and 27% from being underweight.
“This initiative is a national priority, fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian mother and child has access to critical nutrition support,” Shettima stated. “By focusing on grassroots impact, we will bring nutrition interventions directly to communities where they are needed most.”
The Vice President called on all stakeholders, including governors, ministers, local government officials, development partners, and the private sector, to actively participate in the initiative’s success.
He emphasized that the Nutrition 774 Initiative is the first large scale, government led program to tackle malnutrition with a multi sectoral, community driven approach, ensuring improved coordination, financing, and accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the 36 states governors, governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state, pledged full commitment to the program.
Local government chairmen and representatives from development partners also expressed their support for the initiative’s implementation.
In addition to launching the Nutrition 774 Initiative, NEC members, also reviewed and endorsed the 2025 Economic Management Team (EMT) priority, as presented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun.
Council members commended the government’s economic trajectory and stressed the importance of maintaining focus on sustainable development. While recognizing progress, they also offered recommendations to strengthen economic policies and create an enabling environment for growth.
With the Nutrition 774 Initiative, and the government’s renewed economic focus, the NEC meeting reaffirmed its commitment to improving the well-being of Nigerians and driving long-term national development.