Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that Nigeria will accelerate work on a National Food and Nutrition Bill to protect funding for nutrition programmes, strengthen accountability and ensure that interventions continue beyond successive administrations. He spoke at the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Addis Ababa.
Shettima said the proposed legislation would strengthen the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative and deepen cooperation among federal, state and local governments in tackling malnutrition, beginning at the community level. He noted that nutrition committees had been established in 32 state Houses of Assembly and more than 450 local government areas.
He said Nigeria’s National Policy on Food and Nutrition 2026–2035 targets a reduction in the country’s stunting rate to 32 per cent by 2029, 28 per cent by 2032 and 25 per cent by 2035. Shettima also disclosed that Nigeria’s $26 million commitment to the Child Nutrition Fund attracted matching support, unlocking $52 million for nutrition interventions.
The Vice President said the proposed bill would provide stronger legal backing for nutrition financing and accountability, while the government continues efforts to mobilise additional domestic resources. The Nigeria-Ethiopia forum focused on sharing experiences and strengthening approaches to improve nutrition delivery and reduce child malnutrition.
Daily Times
