ENUGU/Nigeria: The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has applauded the governments of Enugu State and Benue State for intensifying efforts to combat malnutrition among women and children, warning that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life remain the most decisive period for healthy growth, brain development and long-term survival.
Speaking at a two-day Joint Inception and Planning Meeting on the prevention of malnutrition within the first 1,000 days held in Awka, Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe, said the initiative was designed to strengthen collaboration between stakeholders and deepen evidence-driven interventions aimed at reducing the burden of malnutrition in both states.
The meeting, organised by UNICEF in partnership with the governments of Enugu and Benue States with support from the United States Government, brought together health officials, nutrition experts and development partners to review strategies for improving maternal and child nutrition outcomes.
Chiluwe stressed that sustainable progress in nutrition could only be achieved through coordinated action across critical sectors including health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, as well as social protection.
She noted that the planning session would help stakeholders harmonise priorities, define responsibilities and improve implementation frameworks capable of delivering measurable impact.
In Enugu State, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, disclosed that the state government committed about N439.2 million to nutrition and related healthcare interventions in 2025.
According to her, N160 million was channelled into the Child Nutrition Fund for the procurement of critical nutrition commodities such as lipid-based nutrient supplements, ready-to-use therapeutic foods and multiple micronutrient supplements.
Ani-Osheku further revealed that N178 million was expended on the procurement of two million doses of Albendazole for deworming programmes, while N61.33 million supported two rounds of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.
She explained that additional funding covered nutrition-focused programmes including World Food Day activities, inauguration of Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition, Nutrition Week campaigns, quarterly nutrition coordination meetings and dietary diversity initiatives.
The health official maintained that the investments were targeted at strengthening nutrition interventions, reducing malnutrition rates and improving the overall wellbeing of residents, particularly children and pregnant women.
She also acknowledged UNICEF’s support to the state through the supply of health commodities and additional funding amounting to N75.38 million for health week activities.
Also speaking, Enugu State Nutrition Officer, Loveth Onwuzulike, said nutrition indicators in the state reflected mixed outcomes despite ongoing interventions.
She disclosed that stunting among children stood at 15.2 per cent in 2024, while wasting was recorded at 3.9 per cent.
Onwuzulike added that exclusive breastfeeding dropped slightly to 54.1 per cent, while only 38 per cent of pregnant women completed at least four antenatal visits. She further noted that 52 per cent of women in the state were anaemic.
According to her, just 41 per cent of women received micronutrient supplements, while only 16 per cent of children between six and 23 months met the minimum acceptable dietary standard.
In Benue State, Nutrition Officer, Faustina Shar, painted a grim picture of the nutrition crisis, revealing that 342,919 children under the age of two — representing 25 per cent — were stunted.
She added that 699,554 children, representing 51 per cent, were anaemic, describing the figures as a major public health concern requiring urgent intervention.
Shar also disclosed that 29.4 per cent of women in the state suffered from anaemia, while malnutrition continued to undermine child development, weaken immunity and affect economic productivity.
She attributed the challenge to several factors including poverty, poor access to nutritious food, inadequate sanitation, harmful cultural practices, insecurity and limited healthcare access.
The nutrition officer further stated that while 49.1 per cent of pregnant women attended at least four antenatal visits, about 33.2 per cent did not attend any, adding that only 16 per cent of children between six and 23 months received minimum dietary diversity.
In his remarks, Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, described the high rate of malnutrition in the state as disturbing but assured that the government remained committed to reversing the trend.
Ogwuche pledged that Benue State would implement key recommendations and strategies emerging from the meeting to improve the nutritional wellbeing of women and children, while commending UNICEF and the United States Government for their continued partnership and support.
