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Every hour, 100 children under five years die of malnutrition in Nigeria, a chilling revelation regarding the malnutrition crisis. Malnutrition among children continues to be one of the most prevalent health crises in the country, which harbours some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world. The crisis, especially in the northern regions, constitutes a major threat to the nation’s future. As of 2020, about 420,000 children die annually from malnutrition-related crises. Furthermore, millions more are at risk of enduring long-term physical and cognitive impairments if the crisis does not receive urgent attention, a situation that has deteriorated in recent years. An estimated 2.5 million children under five are affected by the malnutrition crisis annually, with approximately 1.6 million experiencing Severe Acute Malnutrition (SMA). SMA is the worst form of malnutrition that makes the affected children nine times more vulnerable to die of common childhood diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. Furthermore, a total of 11 million children are suffering from stunting due to chronic malnutrition, which makes them underdeveloped physically and mentally.

The situation is dire, especially in the North-East and North-West, where insurgency, insecurity, and poverty come together to make life very difficult. An estimated 230,000 children in the North-East alone are vulnerable to life-threatening SAM. Their vulnerability is exacerbated by limited access to primary health care, clean water, and sanitation, which are fundamental cornerstones for dealing with malnutrition. The drivers of malnutrition in Nigeria are interrelated. The major ones include poverty, with no less than 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty. Many families cannot afford food, let alone nutritious food, especially with the inflation rates affecting basic goods’ prices. Conventional farming practices in rural areas and a lack of access to modern agricultural inputs further reduce the food supply. Another crucial underlying factor is the insurgency in the north. Boko Haram and other militant groups disrupt farming, displace communities, and force many to seek refuge in camps or urban slums where food security is increasingly precarious. Insecurity has also affected access to essential healthcare and nutrition programs. Additionally, inappropriate feeding practices, especially for infants and young children, worsen the problem. The first 1,000 days in a child’s life, from conception through two years, are the most critical for optimal nutrition. Yet many mothers either do not have the knowledge or resources to provide the nutrients needed during this time.

National and international organisations have noted the magnitude of Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis and are working towards addressing it. Collaborating with international organisations like UNICEF, WFP, and IRC, the federal and state governments provide emergency food stocks, therapeutic feeding programmes, and nutrition education. For example, the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ADSPHDA) provides treatment to children experiencing severe malnutrition. However, funding remains one of the biggest challenges in addressing the crisis. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs unveiled an appeal for $306 million to combat food insecurity in the North-East. Insufficient funding will compromise the progress so far, leaving many children vulnerable to adversities.

Next to these ongoing interventions, the Nigerian government needs to tackle the root causes of malnutrition in line with its sustainable development initiatives. Agriculture, health, education, and water and sanitation are integral to the quest for long-term food security. For example, increased agricultural productivity in rural areas would help improve access and affordability to nutritionally valuable foods. The responsibility, however, also lies with the private sector and international donors. A planned visit by philanthropist Bill Gates to Nigeria for talks on malnutrition is a reminder that solving complex malnutrition and health issues would require continued international collaboration. According to Gates, private foundations and international organisations could provide the needed technical know-how and finance for the government to augment its efforts further. There is an increasing understanding that malnutrition affects health outcomes and economic progress. According to the World Bank, children who are malnourished tend to perform less in school and, later, as adults, earn smaller wages. Investment in child nutrition is an investment in Nigeria’s future economic security. The crisis of child malnutrition in Nigeria is multicausal, essentially rooted in poverty, insecurity, and poor healthcare and education facilities. While the government and international agencies are making considerable efforts, much more is yet to be done. This demands urgent intervention through attracting more funds, increasing agricultural productivity, and enhancing access to healthcare and nutrition education, among others, to save the lives of millions of Nigerian children from the vicious circle of malnutrition.

Recommended Reading

• Conflict and Malnutrition in Nigeria
• Nigeria’s Worsening Malnutrition

Piracy in Nigerian waters is a problem that does not headline as much as other violent conflicts in Nigeria, but it remains a salient issue. Piracy has long posed a significant menace in Nigerian waters, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, which has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous maritime territories in the world. While international attention often concentrates on piracy off the coast of Somalia, the dynamics in Nigeria pose a very different set of issues and have far-reaching implications for international trade, regional stability, and the lives of millions. A mix of economic desperation, maritime governance weakness, and lucrative opportunities for organised crime has traditionally driven piracy in Nigerian waters.

The Niger Delta is rich in oil resources but poverty-stricken and underdeveloped, making it a hotbed for piracy. Initial incidents were often linked to local discontent with the exploitation of oil, and attacks on oil installations and kidnappings of foreign workers gradually became routine. These criminal activities grew into more organised and sophisticated manifestations of piracy. Pirates operating in the Gulf of Guinea have been recognised for their use of violence, which included hijacking, kidnapping for ransom, or theft of established cargoes. In 2020, the area accounted for close to 95% of all global kidnappings at sea, highlighting the seriousness of the threat. The prevailing condition of piracy within Nigerian waters is still a cause for concern, but recent reports suggest a strategy shift. While the attacks on large commercial vessels have reduced due in part to increased naval patrols and international attention, pirates seem to have shifted operations to smaller vessels and coastal communities. In a 2023 report, The Guardian indicated that pirates have now shifted their focus and increasingly attack onshore targets, including oil and gas installations, in addition to abducting people from towns along the coast. This shift underscores the adaptability of pirate networks and the persistent vulnerabilities facing maritime and coastal security in Nigeria. Despite efforts to strengthen naval capabilities, the length and complexity of Nigeria’s coastline make any effective monitoring and securing significantly difficult.

Piracy in Nigerian waters carries enormous economic implications. The Gulf of Guinea offers a vital sea route for international trade, especially considering Nigeria is the largest oil producer on the African continent and relies heavily on exporting oil and gas. Frequent pirate attacks disrupt shipping, increase insurance costs, and drive up the price of goods. According to a report by Lloyd’s List, piracy has emerged as a substantial threat to Nigeria’s maritime economy, which could deter investment and hinder economic growth. Furthermore, the apprehension surrounding piracy has resulted in the rerouting of vessels, leading to delays and increased fuel expenditures. The long-term consequences for Nigeria’s economy are alarming, given that the nation depends significantly on maritime trade for its revenue. The implications of piracy reach beyond financial considerations to include social effects, given that piracy has increased poverty and instability in coastal areas and prolonged a cycle of violence and criminality. Due to these current threats, piracy has prompted many new attempts to strengthen security in Nigeria’s maritime environment. The Nigerian Navy has increased its patrols in identified high-risk areas with some international support through joint naval exercises and capacity-building initiatives. The Code of Conduct, signed by countries in West and Central Africa in 2013, aims to strengthen regional cooperation in combating piracy, armed robbery against ships, and other illegal activities.

Despite efforts, problems remain: corruption, under-funding, and coordination amongst disparate security services prevent full effectiveness against piracy operations. Prosecution of pirates in Nigeria is weak, with very few prosecutions of suspected pirates. In the international arena, private security firms have significantly contributed to vessel protection in Nigerian waters. However, armed guards on commercial ships are a source of ethical and legal concerns, especially about the rules of engagement and the possibility of escalation. Nigeria stands to learn a lot from other regions that have dealt successfully with piracy. For instance, South Korea’s approach to combating piracy in the Strait of Malacca involved military action, regional cooperation, and economic development programs. According to a paper published in the MarSafeLaw Journal, similar efforts could be replicated in Nigeria by focusing on the lives of coastal communities to make piracy less attractive.

The future of piracy in Nigerian waters will depend on the country’s ability to address the root causes of the problem. This includes enhancing maritime security and tackling the socioeconomic conditions that drive individuals to piracy. Community engagement, economic development, and job creation in coastal areas are crucial to breaking the cycle of violence and criminality. More international cooperation is also required to keep piracy in the Gulf of Guinea high on the global agenda. The international community should continue to support Nigeria and its neighbours in putting solid legal frameworks in place, intelligence sharing, and combined maritime operations. Piracy in Nigerian waters still poses a threat with its spillover effects. While development has occurred recently, much work still needs to be done to ensure maritime trade routes’ security and coastal communities’ safety.

In May 2015, Nigeria took a significant step forward in its fight against gender-based violence with the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, commonly known as the VAPP Act. This landmark legislation was the result of years of advocacy by civil society organisations and women’s rights groups, who sought to address the gaps in existing laws regarding violence against women, girls, and other vulnerable populations. Nearly a decade later, the VAPP Act remains a critical tool in safeguarding the rights and dignity of Nigerians. However, recent discussions about its potential repeal have raised concerns among activists and legal experts, who warn of dire consequences for the country’s human rights landscape.

The VAPP Act 2015 is comprehensive, addressing various forms of violence that were previously inadequately covered or ignored by Nigerian law. The Act defines and criminalises a broad range of offences, including rape, domestic violence, harmful traditional practices, and other forms of violence against persons. The VAPP Act expands the definition of rape beyond the traditional understanding, covering any form of sexual penetration without consent, including male rape. This broader definition recognises that rape can occur in different forms and contexts, including marital rape, which was not previously recognised under Nigerian law. The Act also criminalises other forms of sexual violence, such as sexual harassment, intimidation, and stalking, providing a legal framework for victims to seek justice.

Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of the VAPP Act is its provisions on domestic violence. The Act goes beyond physical abuse to include emotional, psychological, and economic abuse, recognising that violence in intimate relationships can manifest in various ways. It empowers victims to seek protection orders and provides for establishing  shelters and rehabilitation centres for survivors. The VAPP Act takes a firm stance against practices deeply rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs that harm individuals, particularly women and girls. It criminalises practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriage, and widowhood practices, offering legal protection to those at risk. The Act also addresses the issue of spousal battery, a common but often unreported form of domestic violence. A unique feature of the VAPP Act is its emphasis on restorative justice. Offenders may be required to perform community service or undergo rehabilitation programmes in addition to or instead of imprisonment. This approach aims to address the root causes of violence and reduce recidivism, promoting long-term change in societal attitudes towards gender-based violence.

The VAPP Act is more than just a piece of legislation; it represents a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s approach to combating violence against persons. Since its enactment, the VAPP Act has been domesticated in 34 of 36 states in Nigeria, each adapting the law to address local realities. Moreover, the Act has spurred the establishment of specialised courts and agencies dedicated to handling violence cases, further enhancing its impact. Despite its achievements, the VAPP Act has faced opposition from certain quarters, particularly those who view its provisions as threatening traditional values and gender norms. Recent discussions around the potential repeal of the Act have sparked fears that Nigeria could regress in its efforts to protect vulnerable populations from violence. Advocates are striving to ensure that the last two states adopt the VAPP Act for nationwide protection against domestic violence and sexual assault. However, these efforts face a major setback as the Senate moves to repeal the law, with the repeal bill passing its second reading. Senator Jibrin Isah of Kogi East, who introduced the new bill in April 2022, argues that the existing compensation provisions are inadequate given Nigeria’s current economic situation. He proposed increasing fines and prison terms to enhance deterrence. Additionally, he criticised the original law for being misleadingly presented and suggested it was gender-biased. Despite the Senate’s progress, women have strongly opposed the repeal online and in private discussions.

Repealing the VAPP Act would have far-reaching implications. It would signal a retreat from the progress made in protecting the rights of women and girls, particularly in rural areas where harmful traditional practices are still prevalent. Without the legal protections afforded by the Act, victims of FGM, early marriage, and domestic violence would be left with limited recourse, perpetuating a cycle of abuse and oppression. The repeal of the VAPP Act could undermine Nigeria’s commitments to international human rights treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Such a move would likely attract condemnation from the international community and could jeopardise Nigeria’s standing in global human rights forums. Moreover, repealing the Act would weaken the legal framework that has empowered law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to tackle gender-based violence more effectively. The loss of specialised courts and protective measures, such as protection orders and shelters, would leave survivors vulnerable and without adequate support.

Instead of repealing the VAPP Act 2015, the Nigerian government should focus on introducing targeted amendments that address any identified gaps or challenges in its implementation. This approach would allow the government to preserve the Act’s original intent of protecting vulnerable individuals from violence and abuse while also strengthening its provisions to make them more effective in addressing contemporary issues. By refining rather than discarding the Act, the government can build on the progress made in promoting human rights and ensuring justice for victims, ultimately enhancing the legal framework for protecting all Nigerians.

The VAPP Act 2015 stands as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens from violence and upholding human rights, particularly for women and girls. While there may be areas for improvement, the potential repeal of this crucial legislation threatens to undermine the significant gains made in addressing gender-based violence. Such a move risks a regression to a time when violence against vulnerable groups was largely ignored or inadequately addressed. Instead of repealing, policymakers and stakeholders must collaborate to strengthen the VAPP Act and ensure its effective implementation. Safeguarding this legislation is not just a legal imperative; it is a moral duty to protect the most vulnerable in society and to continue Nigeria’s progress toward a more just and equitable society.