By Abujah Racheal
Abuja, Dec. 18, 2025 – In a definitive policy statement, the Federal Government has positioned nutrition as the cornerstone of its national development strategy. Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, declared that combating malnutrition is fundamental to building human capital, breaking the cycle of poverty, and achieving the goals of the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” This declaration was made at the opening of the pivotal 2025 National Micronutrient Conference in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Strengthening Resilient Systems for Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Nigeria,” brought a sharp focus to the silent crisis of “hidden hunger”—micronutrient deficiencies that undermine national progress without the visible signs of famine.
Minister Salako presented a stark picture of the challenge. Citing the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, he revealed that 40% of children under five suffer from stunted growth—a physical and cognitive impairment largely caused by chronic malnutrition. Furthermore, 8% suffer from wasting (acute malnutrition), and 27% are underweight. These are not just health statistics; they are indicators of a nation’s future workforce, cognitive capacity, and economic potential being severely compromised before it even begins to develop.
“These figures translate to weakened immune systems, impaired brain development, and reduced educational attainment and future productivity,” Salako explained. “This creates a vicious cycle: malnutrition leads to poor health and low productivity, which perpetuates poverty, which in turn leads to further malnutrition. Breaking this cycle is not merely a health intervention; it is the most strategic investment we can make in Nigeria’s prosperity.”
The Minister outlined the administration’s multi-pronged approach to dismantle this cycle. He confirmed the re-inauguration of the high-level National Advisory Committee on Micronutrient Deficiency and Control and the revival of the biennial National Micronutrient Conference as a platform for accountability, resource mobilization, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Key government interventions highlighted include:
- Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for Pregnant Women: Moving beyond standard iron and folic acid to provide a broader spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals critical for fetal brain and organ development.
- Vitamin A Supplementation for Children: A proven, low-cost intervention that reduces child mortality by bolstering immunity against diseases like measles and diarrhea.
- Large-Scale Food Fortification: Mandating the addition of essential vitamins and minerals to staple foods like flour, salt (iodisation), and cooking oil to passively improve the population’s nutritional intake.
- Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) Programmes: Promoting exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding practices.
However, Salako emphasized that government programs alone are insufficient. “No single sector can end malnutrition alone,” he stated. “It requires a ‘whole-of-society’ approach.” He called for:
- Stronger Food Systems: Collaboration with agriculture to enhance the availability and affordability of diverse, nutrient-rich foods.
- Decentralized Action: Expanding coverage and tailoring interventions to meet specific needs at state and local government levels.
- Sustained Multi-Sectoral Collaboration: Uniting efforts across health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, and social protection sectors to build truly resilient nutrition systems.
In conclusion, the Minister framed the fight against hidden hunger as a non-negotiable foundation for national security and economic competitiveness. “Investing in nutrition is investing in the minds and bodies that will build a secure and prosperous future for Nigeria,” he said. “The Renewed Hope Agenda recognizes that our greatest resource is our people, and that resource must be nourished to its full potential.”
Edited by Deborah Coker
