In a strategic move to tackle Nigeria’s pressing malnutrition crisis, the World Bank has approved $50 million under its Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project 2.0, aimed at advancing nutrition outcomes across the nation. Announcing the support at a recent meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop emphasized the critical need for this funding under the crisis response window.
During the meeting, the World Bank’s Health, Nutrition, and Population Practice Manager, Trina Haque, highlighted the importance of nutrition education for children and adolescents to support early child development and long-term health.
Vice President Shettima presented Nigeria’s comprehensive N-774 Initiative, which aims to transform nutrition outcomes in all 774 local government areas (LGAs) by employing a community-focused, locally driven approach. He described the initiative as a key step forward in Nigeria’s effort to combat malnutrition, building on the foundations of the ANRiN project, now in its closing phase.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pioneering a paradigm shift in nutrition programs with the N-774 Initiative, a commitment to locally owned, sustainable solutions for malnutrition,” Shettima stated. He explained that the N-774 Initiative is a community-centric strategy tailored to the unique needs of each LGA, delivering nutrition support directly to the communities and ensuring lasting impact.
The Vice President added that Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis requires a uniquely Nigerian solution, and President Tinubu is fully committed to supporting the initiative. By integrating nutrition goals across education, agriculture, health, and social protection sectors, the N-774 Initiative emphasizes local ownership and resilience.
Shettima expressed optimism about the project, noting that political commitment, federal and sub-national collaboration, and partnerships with international organizations are essential to achieving swift, impactful outcomes. “With the Renewed Hope Administration, we’re driving an innovative approach to nutrition that we are confident will improve community health outcomes nationwide,” he concluded.
