By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepen collaboration with state governments in implementing multi-sectoral programmes in health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and child protection to improve the well-being of women and children across Nigeria.
The assurance was made by the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kaduna, Dr. Gerida Birukila, represented by the organisation’s Nutrition Specialist, Mrs. Chinwe Eziefe, during the opening of a learning visit by a Kwara State delegation to study the Jigawa State Masaki Nutrition Programme at Tahir Guest Palace, Dutse.
Dr. Birukila commended the Jigawa and Kwara State Governments for their commitment to tackling child malnutrition, describing cross-state learning as vital for building stronger, more sustainable interventions.
“This visit provides first-hand insight into Jigawa’s implementation strategies and offers valuable opportunities for cross-learning—especially in community engagement, multi-level governance, and strengthening health and food systems,” Mrs. Eziefe said.
She explained that the Masaki model empowers women to identify and operationalise nutrition services, ensuring community ownership and sustainability in combating malnutrition.
Leader of the Kwara delegation and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Arinde, said the team was in Jigawa to learn from the state’s impressive strides in reducing child malnutrition.
“The Masaki programme helped Jigawa cut cases of acute malnutrition among children under five from 74,000 to just 2,000 within ten years. This is a remarkable achievement and a model for other states,” she said.
Arinde noted that the visit would help Kwara develop a SMART roadmap to replicate the programme, enhance women’s capacity in Tom Brown production—a local, nutritious food supplement—and strengthen data-driven monitoring structures.
Jigawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Abdullahi Kainuwa, said the state’s success stems from a dual focus on prevention and treatment, leveraging locally available foods, breastfeeding promotion, and women’s education.
He disclosed that Governor Umar Namadi’s administration recently approved ₦250 million for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for 2025, complemented by ₦300 million support from the State House of Assembly.
“We remain committed to sustaining the gains of the Masaki initiative and prioritising the health and future of women and children in Jigawa,” Dr. Kainuwa affirmed.