Government Efforts on Malnutrition Control in Jigawa Receive Commendation

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Chapter of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has lauded the state government for its progress in reducing the stunting rate among children, which dropped from 64% to 55% in 2023.

The commendation came during an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Agriculture, led by the CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Comrade Shu’aibu Musa Kafingana.
He attributed this improvement to the strong partnership between the state government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working on nutrition.

Speaking during the visit, Comrade Kafingana said:
“The stunting rate in Jigawa State was previously 64%. Recent data shows significant improvement, with the rate now at 55%. This progress reflects the combined efforts of the government and NGOs in creating awareness and implementing interventions.”

He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture for its contributions, particularly in addressing malnutrition among children and lactating mothers. However, he highlighted the need for consistent budgetary provisions and timely fund releases for nutrition-sensitive programs under the Jigawa State Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (JARDA).
“JARDA plays a critical role in preventing malnutrition, but we’ve observed gaps in budget allocations and releases, which need to be addressed for sustained progress,” he said.
Kafingana emphasized that CS-SUNN is a robust network advocating for better nutrition across Nigeria. With over 400 member organizations, CS-SUNN’s mission is to make Nigeria a nation where every citizen is food and nutrition secure.
He outlined the group’s strategic focus areas, which include partnerships, advocacy, capacity building, evidence-based interventions, and institutionalizing nutrition movements.
“We work closely with government bodies, policymakers, the media, and other stakeholders to drive awareness and actions that combat malnutrition, aligning with national and international nutrition goals,” he added.

Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ilyasu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing malnutrition. He emphasized the administration’s focus on food security, a priority under the 12-point agenda of Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s administration.

Addressing concerns about JARDA’s funding, Alhaji Ilyasu clarified:
“Nutrition budgets are allocated annually under JARDA. However, last year, funds were not released, possibly due to the absence of a formal request. Ensuring such requests are made will streamline fund access in the future.”

The ministry assured stakeholders of its readiness to strengthen partnerships and sustain efforts to combat malnutrition in Jigawa State.