FG moves to strengthen Nutrition Policy across states
The Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 (N774) Initiative is to strengthen legislative support and policy frameworks to combat malnutrition across local and state governments.
The National Technical Working Group, led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Focal Person on Nutrition, Dr Uju Anwukah, made the call during an advocacy visit to Governor Alex Otti at his country home in Umuehim, Nvosi, Abia State.
Dr Anwukah, who provided an overview of the Nutrition 774 (N774) initiative, said the team was in the state to inaugurate a 13-member State Strategic Board for the programme.
According to her, malnutrition accounts for 45% of child mortality in Nigeria, emphasizing that the N774 initiative aims to boost political commitment, financing, accountability, and multi-sectoral coordination for improved nutrition outcomes.
Dr Anwukah commended the Abia State Government for allocating ₦1.35 billion to health, education, and infrastructure in 2024, describing Abia as a “model of emerging best practices”.
Governor Alex Otti, who chairs the newly-inaugurated 13-member State Council on Nutrition, expressed a strong commitment to integrating nutrition-focused planning into the state’s development agenda.
He described nutrition as the foundation for public health, productivity, and sustainable economic growth and pledged to track and report nutrition indicators across sectors.
Governor Otti disclosed that under his leadership, Abia State has allocated 15% of its annual budget to health and 20% to education in the last two years, totaling 35% of the budget for critical human capital development.
He directed the Commissioner for Budget and Planning to ensure that nutrition-related programmes are identified in future budgets, starting with the 2025 fiscal year.
The governor also charged members of the newly-inaugurated Nutrition Council to ensure effective coordination and performance monitoring.
Editing by Chinasa Ossai, Adeniyi Bakare and Tony Okerafor
