Niger, UNICEF urge council chairmen to prioritise nutrition

The Niger State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has called on local government chairmen to make nutrition a budgetary priority. This initiative aims to enhance nutrition outcomes at the grassroots level through the operationalization and management of the state's Nutrition-25 Initiatives (N-25).

A sensitization and orientation workshop highlighted the importance of the N-25 initiative as a call to action for ensuring adequate, safe, and nutritious food access for every household, child, and community. The program aligns with the national N-774 framework, focusing on translating national nutrition priorities into coordinated and sustainable interventions.

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For us to achieve results, there is the need for strong leadership, effective coordination, adequate financing, and collective action from government, partners, communities, and families.

The N-25 Initiative is designed to increase political commitment, bolster institutional capabilities, and promote inter-sectoral collaboration. Special emphasis is placed on improving nutrition for pregnant women, mothers, and children under five during the critical first 1,000 days of life. Malnutrition is recognized as a critical determinant of child survival, requiring strong leadership, effective coordination, adequate financing, and collective action.

Local government chairmen have pledged to strengthen nutrition governance, coordination, and service delivery across the state's 25 local government areas. They committed to improving nutrition security and maternal and child health outcomes. Tackling malnutrition is seen as integral to primary healthcare delivery, requiring a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving health, agriculture, and education sectors.

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As chairmen of LGAs, we will strengthen nutrition security and improve maternal and child health outcomes across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.