FG Deepens Fight Against Micronutrient Deficiency, Inaugurates Advisory Committee
……. Unveils New Policies to Combat Micronutrient Deficiencies
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to tackle micronutrient deficiency in Nigeria, inaugurating a National Advisory Committee on Micronutrient Deficiency and Control while unveiling new policy frameworks to drive coordinated action across key sectors.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate CON, speaking at the 2025 National Micronutrient Conference in Abuja, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to move from fragmented nutrition initiatives to a synchronized, evidence-based national response that guarantees adequate nutrition for Nigerians, especially women, children, and vulnerable groups.
The conference, themed “Strengthening Resilient Systems for Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies in Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders from health, agriculture, development partners, civil society, academia and sub-national actors to chart a renewed pathway in addressing what Prof. Pate described as a silent but devastating threat to human capital and national productivity.
He warned that recent national surveys reveal persistent anaemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as unacceptable levels of child malnutrition across the country. “We must now translate evidence into action. The talk is cheap; what matters is what we do from here,” he said, stressing that the Federal Government is scaling up food fortification, dietary diversification, micronutrient supplementation and strengthening the primary healthcare platform to reach underserved communities.
According to him, the government has mobilised millions of multiple micronutrient supplement doses for pregnant women, strengthened health workforce capacity, expanded nutrition services through the World Bank-supported Accelerating Results in Nigeria (ARIN) project, and institutionalised nutrition demonstration corners in health facilities nationwide.
The newly inaugurated advisory committee, he explained, will serve as a multi-sectoral platform to monitor implementation, advise government on priority actions, and close existing gaps using national evidence, including the Micronutrient Survey and the Demographic and Health Survey.
Prof. Pate called for increased funding from federal, state, and local governments in the 2026 budget cycle and urged households, communities, and civil society to complement government efforts. “Nigeria has no business with hunger and malnutrition. This requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” he said.
Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described micronutrient deficiency as an “invisible crisis with visible consequences,” noting that stunting among children under five remains at 40%, wasting at 8%, and underweight at 27%, according to the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey. He called for urgent, sustained, and inclusive action aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the conference marks a renewed national momentum to address “hidden hunger” through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that tackling malnutrition will improve health outcomes, education, productivity and national prosperity.
Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting national nutrition goals, noting that food security and nutrition are inseparable in building a healthy, productive population.
Commending the Health Ministry and stakeholders, he acknowledged that micronutrient deficiency remains a major development concern despite progress in food availability.
He emphasized the need for strengthened collaboration between agriculture and health sectors to promote food fortification, nutrition-sensitive agricultural policies, and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods.
Senator Abubakar praised ongoing efforts toward stabilizing food prices and improving availability, stating that ensuring Nigerians not only have food but nutritious food is central to government priorities. He lauded the Director of Nutrition and her team for revitalizing the national micronutrient conference and reawakening national commitment to addressing “hidden hunger.”
The Federal Government also launched several strategic documents including the Roadmap for Scaling Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (2025–2029), the Micronutrient Supplementation Landscape Analysis Report, Nutrition in Emergencies Strategy, Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy, and other frameworks to guide implementation and accountability.
The Federal Government assured Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to strengthening nutrition systems to safeguard health, enhance productivity, and build a healthier, well-nourished nation.
