FG Targets Malnutrition with New 10-Year Nutrition Policy

The Federal Government has taken a major step toward tackling malnutrition following the approval of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2026–2035) by the National Council on Nutrition (NCN).

The policy, endorsed at the Council’s 15th virtual meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, will now be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for final approval.

As part of efforts to strengthen implementation at the grassroots, the Council directed all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to set up functional State Councils on Nutrition within three months.

Described as a comprehensive, multi-sectoral framework, the new policy is designed to guide Nigeria’s food security and nutrition strategies over the next decade.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Shettima noted that policy decisions directly impact citizens, especially children. He stressed that success would be measured not by discussions but by tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians by 2035.

He further described the policy as the most significant nutrition framework the country has developed, noting that it is data-driven, inclusive, and cuts across all levels of government and society.

The Council also directed the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to submit the policy to FEC, while Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been given 12 months to align their programmes and budgets with its provisions.

In addition, states and the FCT are expected to activate their food and nutrition action plans within six to nine months.

On the legislative front, the Council granted a six-week extension for the submission of a draft National Nutrition Bill, with a deadline of eight weeks for its transmission to the National Assembly. The proposed law is expected to establish a legal framework for funding and clarify responsibilities across all tiers of government.

To improve funding coordination, the Council expanded its nutrition financing sub-committee to include key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Commissioners of Finance Forum, and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

The Council also approved the creation of a co-branded nutrition intervention platform in partnership with the Dangote Foundation, expected to launch within 60 days to encourage private sector involvement.

Shettima emphasized that the Nutrition 774 Initiative would play a central role in implementing the policy, ensuring that nutrition programmes reach all 774 local government areas across the country.