The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has decried inadequate and non-implementation of nutrition policy as it called for urgent action to address malnutrition menace in Nigeria
The Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, Sunday Okoronkwo while briefing journalists at a media roundtable in Abuja, lamented that despite Nigeria’s commitments expressed at various summits, pledges often remain on paper without the necessary follow-through.
He said, that in-country commitments, including increased funding and maternity leave, encounter delays, resulting in unfulfilled promises that exacerbate the persisting malnutrition crisis.
He, therefore, said the urgency of immediate action is paramount to reversing these trends and fostering positive nutrition outcomes in the country.
According to him: “Findings from CS-SUNN’s Trend Analysis of Nutrition Budget in Nigeria (2019 to 2022) show that relative to the size of the Federal government’s spending plan in 2018, health sector allocation stands at 5.79 per cent, which is relatively low when compared to the 15 per cent commitment made by the Nigerian government at the 2006 Abuja declaration summit.
“A review of budgetary allocation in 2016 to 2022 shows that Nigeria also failed to honour this commitment. If the Abuja declaration was implemented, additional allocations of approximately N3.91 trillion should have been injected and spent on the health sector between 2016 and 2022.”
“Though some commitments for health and nutrition are yet to be fulfilled, CS-SUNN commends the government for some level of progress made on nutrition.”
“The approval of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (adopted and domesticated by some states with support from CS-SUNN) and approval of the establishment of Nutrition Departments in all nutrition line Ministries.”
“CS-SUNN further applauds the government’s expressed commitments for nutrition but restates the need for a paradigm shift from verbal commitments to institutional and operational commitments.”
“This shift will translate to meaningful and impactful nutrition mechanisms like; enabling legislation, policies and plans for nutrition, improved coordination, institutional framework and better data, monitoring and accountability systems for nutrition.
“It will further improve the creation of adequate and cash backing of budget lines for nutrition, full releases of nutrition budgets, enforcement of laws and regulations like the 6 months maternity leave with pay and more.”
“The alliance has consistently played a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s nutrition agenda. Through collaborative efforts with the media, key stakeholders, and strategic use of our social media platforms, we actively engage in educating, disseminating information, and amplifying messages that urge the government to honour its nutrition commitments.”
“Furthermore, our alliance has been a staunch advocate, actively participating in the formulation of Nigeria’s SMART commitments. We support the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, ensuring the involvement of high-ranking government officials in making commitments for Nigeria, as demonstrated at the Tokyo N4G Summit.”
CS-SUNN calls for strengthened governance for nutrition at National and Sub-national levels. A step in this direction is the approval of the establishment of Nutrition Departments and the creation of a budget line for nutrition in all line ministries by the former administration.
“We commend the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Women Affairs, Information and Culture, Health, and Ministry of Information Nasarawa State for the establishment of Nutrition Departments and call on the President Tinubu-led administration to follow through with this pledge across all nutrition line MDAs at all levels.
This we believe will give nutrition a seat at management tables in MDAs where decisions around the prioritization of nutrition will be made.
The alliance restates her commitment to advancing Nigeria’s nutrition agenda for improved nutritional status of women, children and vulnerable groups. Currently, CS-SUNN is implementing the Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems 2.0 (PINNS-2.0) project and is contributing to strengthening nutrition governance systems, improving nutrition data management, improving funding for nutrition and strengthening Civil Society Alliances in Nigeria and some African countries like Kenya.
“CS-SUNN urges partners in Nigeria’s nutrition communities to not relent in driving commitments for nutrition. We must continue to collaborate to raise awareness, generate data and evidence, coordinate policy development and implementation activities, build capacities and mobilize resources towards improved nutrition in Nigeria,” he said.
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