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.
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