By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
A workshop on strengthening legislative action for improved nutrition in Nigeria has urged state governments to adopt the N774 Initiative framework to address malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women.
The workshop also called for the creation of dedicated nutrition departments or units within local governments and relevant ministries, departments and agencies, including health and agriculture.The recommendations were contained in the communique issued at the end of the workshop held in Uyo.
Participants also advocated increased funding for nutrition, including a five per cent rise in budgetary allocations and dedicated Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) budget lines with timely releases.They called for the implementation of six months’ paid maternity leave for public and private sector workers and sustainable annual funding for the CNF.
Other recommendations included strengthening community engagement and media campaigns, improving coordination among nutrition-related agencies and supporting oversight sessions involving health, agriculture and other relevant MDAs.The workshop urged governments to improve monitoring of nutrition spending, ensure timely release and effective utilisation of approved funds, and strengthen procurement and distribution systems for nutrition commodities.
Participants identified severe underfunding, rising malnutrition indicators, delays in fund releases and weak institutional structures as major challenges affecting nutrition programmes.The workshop was organised by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) in collaboration with UNICEF and GAIN, with legislators and policymakers participating.
