To address Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis, the Nigerian Government, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and World Bank have partnered to launch a nationwide intervention.
The collaboration is designed to support 11 million Nigerian children suffering from malnutrition, focusing on pregnant women, adolescent girls, and children under five in 11 high-burden states.
The partnership was officially launched at the Faith Actors Workshop/Public Sensitization Lecture on Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN), held in Abuja yesterday.
The workshop gathered stakeholders, including faith leaders, healthcare professionals, and government officials, to discuss strategies for improving nutritional outcomes.
According to President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Nigeria faces significant malnutrition challenges, with one in three children under five affected.
Represented by Uzoaku Williams, CAN’s Assistant General Secretary, Okoh emphasized that inadequate nutrition could lead to numerous health issues, particularly among vulnerable populations, such as children, women, and the elderly.
She highlighted the need to challenge cultural and societal norms hindering proper nutrition.
The CAN President stated, “Nutrition is not merely a matter of sustenance; it is foundational to human development and societal progress. We are all aware that inadequate nutrition can lead to a myriad of health issues, particularly among our vulnerable populations—children, women, and even the elderly.
With Nigeria ranking 11th globally in child malnutrition, this partnership is seen as crucial for improving nutrition outcomes and boosting national development.
Details of the project’s implementation and progress are expected to be shared in the coming months.
