The Federal Government and the global nutrition organisation, Nutrition International (NI) have said at least 17 million Nigerian children are malnourished, making Nigeria the country with the highest burden of malnutrition in Africa and the second highest globally.
The Director of Health and Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, said malnutrition has remained a significant public health problem despite huge investments.
Ukaire spoke during a meeting to disseminate the findings of the home fortification implementation research using Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS) and Multiple Micronutrient Powders (MNP) administered to eligible target populations in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria on Wednesday.
Ukaire said the major underlying causes of malnutrition in Nigeria included poor infant and young child feeding practices, poor access to and consumption of a safe nutritious diet rich in both macro and micronutrients, inadequate access to healthcare, water, and sanitation, and a high level of poverty.
He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has made a concerted effort in collaboration with development partners to reduce the burden of malnutrition in the country.”
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