Nigeria ranks #1 in Africa and #2 globally for child malnutrition, with over 25 million undernourished children according to UNICEF.
In a striking revelation that has sent shockwaves through the nation, the Nigerian government has acknowledged a grim reality: the country ranks number one in Africa and second globally when it comes to the prevalence of malnourished children. According to Vice President Kashim Shettima, a staggering 25 million Nigerian children under the age of five are suffering from undernourishment and stunted growth, citing figures from UNICEF.
This alarming statistic casts a long shadow over the country's efforts to combat poverty and ensure food security for its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The implications of child malnutrition are far-reaching, with the potential to hamper cognitive development, educational attainment, and future economic productivity, perpetuating a vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition across generations.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the government has taken a pivotal step by inaugurating the National Dairy Policy, a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming the dairy and livestock sectors to achieve food and nutritional security. Shettima, who was represented at the policy launch by Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, emphasized the critical role the dairy industry plays in addressing this crisis.
"The dairy industry in Nigeria plays a critical role in addressing this issue, providing essential nutrients like vitamins, protein, magnesium, and calcium necessary for proper growth and development from infancy to adulthood," Shettima stated.
The demand for animal-source foods in Nigeria is driven by three major factors: population size, income per capita, and urbanization. As the population grows, so does the demand for livestock products. However, the dairy sector faces significant hurdles, including low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to markets, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy.
The potential in Nigeria's dairy sector is reflected in significant investments from both local and international firms, such as FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Danone's Fan Milk, which have launched extensive backward integration projects aimed at boosting local milk production and fostering a strong market for dairy products.
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to support such efforts by sustaining an enabling environment for the sustainable inflow of much-needed capital and technology transfer. However, as Minister of State for Agriculture Aliyu Abdullahi emphasized, greater investment in the sector and better regulatory frameworks are essential to support growth.
As Nigeria grapples with this daunting challenge, the road ahead is long and arduous, but the stakes are high. Addressing child malnutrition is not only a moral imperative but also an investment in the country's future, ensuring that every child has access to the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.
