On World Food Day, stakeholders including the World Bank and Nutrition International have come together to urge a unified approach to address the escalating malnutrition crisis in Nigeria. The call for action was made on Tuesday, highlighting the dire need for a multi-faceted strategy to combat the growing issue of malnutrition in the country.
The malnutrition crisis in Nigeria has been exacerbated by various factors, including food scarcity, inflation, and socio-political instability. According to recent reports, over 1 million Nigerians are experiencing severe food insecurity, with many resorting to desperate measures such as begging and scavenging for food.
Comfort Onyaga, the Founder of Izanu Africa, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the current state of food insecurity in Nigeria indicates a failure to fulfill the right to food as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She warned that without stability in the food supply chain, Nigerians will continue to suffer from hunger and malnutrition.
The World Bank and other stakeholders are advocating for a comprehensive approach that includes addressing the root causes of malnutrition, such as poverty, lack of access to nutritious food, and inadequate healthcare. They also stress the importance of macroeconomic and fiscal reforms to stabilize the economy and reduce inflation, which has been a significant contributor to the crisis.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, Founder of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), highlighted the critical issues affecting food availability, including insecurity, high transportation costs, and the lack of technological adoption in the agricultural sector. He emphasized the urgent need to address these factors to alleviate the food crisis and reduce malnutrition.
The stakeholders’ call for a united effort underscores the need for collaborative action from government agencies, international organizations, and local communities to tackle the malnutrition crisis effectively and ensure that all Nigerians have access to nutritious food.
