Vice President Kashim Shettima has unveiled the Federal Government’s new “Nutrition 774 Initiative,” a comprehensive national program aimed at addressing malnutrition and food insecurity across all 774 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
Speaking at a roundtable with development partners at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader efforts to ensure food security throughout the country. “The priority with which President Tinubu has pursued food availability goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to eradicating malnutrition,” the vice president said.
The program, endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 144th meeting in September, seeks to improve nutritional outcomes in communities across the country. It was developed with the goal of ensuring that every Nigerian household has access to the essential diets needed for a healthy life. “Our victory is not in full barns, but in households having access to nutritious meals,” Shettima stated.
Shettima urged development partners to support the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to address Nigeria’s nutritional challenges. “This initiative must be owned by our development partners as much as it is by the government,” he said, stressing the collective responsibility in building a healthier Nigeria.
The initiative adopts a grassroots approach, empowering local actors and leaders to improve nutrition within their communities. It includes training programs for health workers and community leaders, with the aim of building local capacity. Shettima said, “Balancing the diets of our nation is not just an aspiration, but a mission we must pursue with purpose and passion.”
Nutrition as a Key to Long-term Stability
VP Shettima noted that while Nigeria faces challenges such as recent floods and global inflationary pressures affecting food security, the government’s response must be innovative and directly address these issues. He stressed that investments in nutrition yield significant returns, not just in improved health but also in long-term national stability and security.
“Every naira invested in nourishment strengthens not only the health of our people but the future of our nation,” Shettima said, emphasizing the importance of rewarding local governments that show commitment to the initiative.
Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, described the initiative as crucial to addressing the country’s malnutrition crisis, particularly among vulnerable populations. Pate stressed the importance of a systemic approach that brings together agriculture, health, water, sanitation, and social protection sectors.
He highlighted the leadership of VP Shettima as key in facilitating collaboration across different government levels and with development partners. “This effort will only succeed if we have a unified direction and strong partnerships among the Federal Government, local governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector,” Pate said.
Development partners attending the roundtable expressed strong support for the Nutrition 774 Initiative. Abdul Kamara, Director-General for Nigeria at the African Development Bank (AfDB), praised the program’s timeliness, noting that nutrition is a key focus of the AfDB’s work across Africa. He affirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat malnutrition and improve health infrastructure through technical assistance and financial support.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative signals the Federal Government’s commitment to not only ensuring food availability but also addressing malnutrition at the grassroots level, providing a long-term solution to food insecurity across Nigeria.
