Taking Action on Maternal Nutrition in Nigeria

Last week was World Nutrition Day. We were reminded to step up our efforts against malnutrition in Nigeria. This needs to be done not just through good policies but also by speeding up the implementation of effective nutrition programs. We need steady funding from state and local governments.

Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021, 2025) highlights the importance of protecting women’s maternal health. A key goal is to reduce maternal deaths from 512 to 300 per 100,000 live births by 2025. The plan also aims to address malnutrition among women who can have babies. This effort aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and the global goal of “Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths,” which wants to cut maternal deaths to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

But behind every number is a real person. A name. A story. When I think about this crisis, I think of pregnant women whose lives are at risk daily due to lack of vital nutrition and health care. I also think about the strength of these women and the health workers and communities supporting them. They often don’t get the attention they deserve in policy discussions.

To keep mothers safe, we need steady funding and reliable access to lifesaving nutrition programs, like multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS). These supplements help fix deficiencies in iron, folate, and other important nutrients. These deficiencies contribute to Nigeria’s high maternal death rate.

The 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) shows that Nigeria still has 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

The situation for children is just as serious. Nigeria ranks second only to India for the highest number of stunted children. UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank estimate that about 32 to 34 percent of Nigerian children under five are stunted. This is around 14 million children. About two million of these kids suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

These numbers represent a growing emergency. We need to be honest about how much work is left to do, and we must recognize the changes already being made.

I feel hopeful when I see Nigerian-led groups creating solutions in their communities. I saw this during a recent trip to Kaduna State.

The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is a key group working together with others to boost coordination, advocacy, and accountability in Nigeria’s nutrition sector. This alliance has over 400 civil society groups, media organizations, academics, development partners like the Gates Foundation, and government stakeholders. They are pushing for better nutrition policies, increased funding, and improved accountability at both national and state levels.

Through its Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems (PINNS) project, CS-SUNN has brought together state governments, lawmakers, traditional leaders, and policymakers in Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Nasarawa, and Lagos states. They aim to improve nutrition outcomes. This project has strengthened planning, budgeting, monitoring, and accountability systems, allowing real-time tracking of progress.

One big win is the revival of 24 inactive State Committees on Food and Nutrition. This has improved coordination across government agencies after years of delays.

But just having better coordination will not solve nutrition problems. We need consistent funding and timely budget releases to see real progress.

One major challenge for nutrition programs in Nigeria is making sure budget commitments turn into actual spending. Even though there is more awareness of the importance of MMS, funding for buying these supplements is still low or uncertain in many states. Many pregnant women are left without the help they need.

In the Ungwan Boro community in Kaduna State, I met Martha Obiagwu, who runs the local health center in Sabon Tasha. She shared a surprising change: more women are coming to the center.

"We've noticed a great increase in the number of women accessing services at the facility because many women in the community did not know about multiple micronutrient supplements before. Now they see their friends or neighbors benefiting from it, so they come. Even those who go to private clinics sometimes come here to ask for MMS. During Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, the demand becomes even higher," Obiagwu explained.

This is very important. Northern Nigeria has some of the highest rates of anaemia in pregnancy. Most cases are linked to iron deficiency and are made worse by poverty and food insecurity. Building trust in primary healthcare is key to changing these numbers.

In Kaduna, the funding situation has also improved. Ramatu Musa Haruna, the state’s Nutrition Officer, said that CS-SUNN’s work with UNICEF and the Gates Foundation has led to real government commitments. "All local government chairmen have agreed to contribute ₦20 million each to support the Child Nutrition Fund, alongside the governor’s commitment of ₦500 million this year," she said. "These funds will help keep the procurement of multiple micronutrient supplements and other essential items going." Political will can move fast.

This political commitment is showing up in public budgets. Health budgets have risen sharply in recent years. In 2025, ₦170.01 billion was given to nutrition programs, a 33.7 percent increase from ₦127.24 billion in 2024, and a big jump from ₦10.8 billion in 2021.

These are encouraging signs.

But budgets alone do not save lives. A big challenge for nutrition programs in Nigeria is getting budget commitments to translate into actual spending. Even with more awareness of MMS, funding for buying these supplements is still low or uncertain in many states. Many pregnant women are left without the support they need.

Kaduna and other states show what can happen when political commitment is matched with funding and timely releases of money. But these examples are still rare. More states need to put nutrition first and turn promises into action.

Inflation is also a big issue. Budget increases may not fully cover the crisis. This makes it even more important to ensure accountability, transparency, and good monitoring. We must keep investing in primary healthcare, especially in rural areas where women at risk depend on local facilities for their survival and their children's health.

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called the nutrition crisis a “development emergency.” They stress that urgent action is needed from all levels of government.

The 2023 NDHS shows that 58 percent of women of reproductive age in Nigeria are anaemic. Additionally, 61 percent of pregnant women suffer from anaemia. There are big differences regionally, anaemia among pregnant women is 55.2 percent in the South-West and 71.1 percent in the South-East. Iron deficiency is a major issue across the North.

The progress made so far is fragile. Without stronger commitment, ongoing investment, and regular funding for important nutrition programs like MMS, we could lose what we’ve gained. Global evidence shows that every dollar spent on nutrition can bring back between US$16 and US$27 in health, productivity, and economic benefits.

The progress seen in some states is real. But it belongs to the communities, health workers, civil society groups, and government officials who made it happen. Partners like the Gates Foundation can help, but real change is being driven by Nigerians.

The progress made so far could easily be reversed without stronger commitment, ongoing investment, and regular funding for vital nutrition programs like MMS. Every dollar spent on nutrition can yield returns between US$16 and US$27 through better health and productivity.

Government at all levels must protect and build on the achievements made through years of work with communities, civil society groups, and development partners.

Funding nutrition programs is crucial for sustainability. Policies and reforms are good starting points, but they need to be backed by enough funding, timely release of money, and strong accountability.

The real question is not whether Nigeria knows what works. The evidence is clear. The question is whether proven programs like MMS will get the continued funding they need to reach every woman who requires them.

Kaduna State has shown what can happen when political will is matched with funding and timely releases for nutrition programs, including MMS. Their experience should be the standard, not the exception.

This year on World Nutrition Day, we were reminded that we need to renew our efforts against malnutrition in Nigeria. This should include good policies and fast implementation of effective nutrition programs with steady funding from state and local governments.

Ongoing funding for nutrition and MMS must be a top priority at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and in all federal and state decision-making platforms.

Nigeria’s maternal health crisis calls for urgency, coordination, and accountability. Behind each statistic is a woman fighting for her life and a child needing a healthy start.

What Kaduna demonstrates is that progress is possible. The challenge now is to make sure every state fulfills its promises so that lifesaving nutrition programs reach the women and children who need them most.