On the 14 November 2011, the Federal Republic of Nigeria joined the SUN Movement with a letter of commitment from HE C. O. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Minister of Health. At the time, Nigeria had recognised the role of nutrition as a development issue and had committed to addressing malnutrition with the adoption of a National Health Strategic Development Plan which recognises nutrition as an important component. To recognise the multi-sectorality of nutrition, the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2001) and National Plan of Action (2004) were established to ensure implementation of the policy was coordinated with clear roles and responsibilities for each related sector.
The National Committee on Food and Nutrition (NCFN) meet quarterly to review and align activities of relevant ministries, departments and agencies with the National Food and Nutrition Policy. The multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) brings together representatives from six SUN Networks including the Government, United Nations agencies, donors, the SUN Business Network – which was set up in 2016-2017 – Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and academia. The Office of the Vice President, Ministers of the Federal Government and Governors of State Governments (Kaduna and Kano) have been increasingly involved in nutrition-related issues in the country. While the networks have demonstrated the capacity to track and report on their own contributions and achievements, efforts are required to coordinate better and deliver effective results against agreed work plans.
Last updated: November 2017
Last updated: December 2016
There is a UN coordinating mechanism in place that brings together the UN agencies. A Donor Network exists with the Department for International Development and UNICEF as Donor Convenors. The Civil Society (for) Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is an alliance that mobilises civil society organisations to achieve reductions in malnutrition through advocacy, policy support, resource mobilisation, public awareness, program, budget and implementation tracking, and campaigns. The SUN Business Network is broadening to include more business partners from different sectors including food, agriculture, telecommunication and banking and engages with small and medium-size enterprises. A SUN Business Network Coordinator who liaises with the Government and other networks has been appointed.
Last updated: October 2015
National policies and plans have been developed through a consultative process of engaging partners. National advocacy and communication strategies have been developed and translated into the local language. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulates the Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria guide food manufacturers and maintains sanctions for products based on quality. The implementation of 18 weeks’ maternity leave for mothers was fast-tracked by the Ministry for Labour and Employment, following the Abuja Breastfeeding Declaration in 2016.
Last updated: November 2017
Last updated: December 2016
Actions that help to improve food and nutrition security have been integrated into the National Strategic Action Plan (2012) for the implementation of the Great Green Wall Programme. The programme is being implemented with the support of the African Union Commission and focuses on the restoration of ecosystems to improve livelihoods.
National Ministerial guidelines support the mainstreaming of nutrition in sectoral policies. Several policies and strategies relevant to nutrition include:
A comprehensive legislation is in place for the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. Fortification of wheat flour, maize flour and vegetable oil is mandated by law and Universal Salt Iodisation certification was achieved in 2005.
UN actions are mainstreamed through the UN Development Assistance Framework and the Donor Network have a coordination plans to facilitate coherent activities.
Last updated: October 2015
The institutional structure for the coordination of policy implementation and individual stakeholder roles are identified in the revised National Food and Nutrition Policy. The Ministry of Budget and National Planning (MBNP) commissioned a mapping of the nutrition stakeholders’ activities in-country, and the CS-SUNN mapped actions of civil society associations. Efforts are being made to strengthen the nutrition surveillance system.
Nutrition-relevant ministries, departments and agencies have annual work plans and have recruited nutrition desk officers.
Last updated: November 2017
Last updated: December 2016
Last updated: October 2015
The State Governments of Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Sokoto Bauchi have made financial commitments on to scale up nutrition and have redeemed their pledges. The engagement of a Parliamentarian, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, led to an increase in the budget for Health and Nutrition Emergency Response Project (HNERP). The budget allocation for nutrition in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) from 400 million Naira (USD 1.1 million) to 1.9 billion Naira (USD 5.3 million). The USD 350 million loan from the World Bank for a period of five years has triggered the mobilisation of additional resources from other sources such as the Dangote Foundation.
Last updated: November 2017
Last updated: December 2016
An increase of resource allocation to nutrition to fulfil funding gaps is a priority for Nigeria.
Last updated: October 2015
Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu
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