By Abujah Racheal
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2025 – The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has launched a groundbreaking five-year initiative designed to tackle the interconnected challenges of hunger, disease, and poverty. The project, inaugurated simultaneously in Katsina and Nasarawa States, targets 1,200 of the most vulnerable households with a holistic model that links agricultural empowerment directly to health outcomes.
In a statement released by Senior Communications Manager Ms. Uzoma Nwofor, the institute outlined a strategy that moves beyond temporary aid. “This project seeks to promote sustainable agriculture, improved nutrition practices, and malaria prevention among vulnerable families as a unified front,” Nwofor explained. The selection of Katsina and Nasarawa was data-driven, based on empirical evidence of high poverty levels, significant malaria burden, and concerning HIV prevalence, where IHVN already provides foundational health services.
A rigorous vulnerability assessment identified 400 households in Katsina and 800 in Nasarawa for inclusion. The intervention is built on a multi-pronged approach to strengthen household resilience from the ground up.
A Three-Tiered Agricultural and Economic Model
The project’s core is a tailored agricultural empowerment scheme. Beneficiaries have been strategically grouped into three categories to maximize land use and nutritional yield:
- 200 households for livestock farming (receiving pigs, goats, chickens, shelters, and medications).
- 400 households for home gardening (using provided planting pots and seeds for nutrient-dense crops).
- 600 households for collaborative community farming to cultivate vitamin- and protein-rich crops at scale.
This structure ensures that even households with minimal land can participate meaningfully. Trained community workers will provide ongoing, house-to-house follow-up to supervise activities and introduce improved techniques.
Beyond Farming: Building Health and Financial Literacy
Recognizing that food production alone is insufficient, the project integrates critical complementary trainings. As Project Director Dr. Victoria Igbinomwanhia highlighted at the inauguration, beneficiaries are receiving education in:
- Nutrition: Practical demonstrations on preparing balanced meals using locally available foods to combat malnutrition.
- Malaria Prevention: Distribution of insecticide-treated nets and education on environmental management to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
- Financial Management: Establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to help families save, access small loans, and build financial buffers against future shocks.
- WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): Training in soap making to promote hygiene and prevent disease.
Furthermore, IHVN has established a formal collaboration with 13 local health facilities to ensure seamless referrals for severe malaria and acute malnutrition cases, creating a vital safety net.
A Collaborative Framework for Long-Term Sustainability
Dr. Igbinomwanhia emphasized that sustainability is paramount. “This project builds on our years of public health interventions and is implemented in collaboration with state Ministries of Agriculture, Health, community-based organizations, and traditional leaders,” she said. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures community ownership and aligns the project with existing government systems.
The early impact is already tangible among beneficiaries. Mrs. Marakisiyya Yusuf, 35, from Daura LGA in Katsina, now plans to establish a VSLA group in her community. “I learned how to save for the future,” she said. Similarly, Mr. Sulieman Mashi, 42, intends to start a savings group and has gained practical knowledge to improve his family’s diet.
Community worker Ms. Oluwayemisi Adeniji expressed optimism about the project’s ripple effect: “We expect beneficiaries to share the knowledge and skills gained, ensuring these practices become embedded in the community.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this integrated food security and malaria prevention project is implemented by IHVN with crucial funding support from BMZ/Gesundes Africa. It represents a sophisticated model of development—one that addresses the root causes of vulnerability by simultaneously boosting economic capacity, nutritional status, and health resilience.
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
