The Federal Government has raised alarm that Nigeria is grappling with a triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency—warning that 79 per cent of the population is food insecure.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, disclosed this at the Nigeria Health Watch Roundtable themed “Fortifying Nigeria’s Future: Strengthening Nutrition through Local Solutions” in Abuja.

Citing findings from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey, Kachollom said micronutrient inadequacy remains very high among key population groups, with nearly half of households consuming unbranded vegetable oil despite fortification policies.

She explained that malnutrition continues to undermine the health, productivity, and economic potential of citizens, particularly women and children. The 2024 Demographic and Health Survey, she noted, showed stunting at 40 per cent, wasting at 8 per cent, and underweight at 27 per cent among children aged six to 59 months.

“One in three children is vitamin A deficient, more than one in three is zinc deficient, and over 20 per cent suffer from iron deficiency,” she said, adding that adolescent girls and pregnant women face alarming rates of vitamin A and iron deficiency, threatening maternal health and newborn survival.

Kachollom attributed the crisis to nutrient-poor diets dominated by staples such as maize, cassava, and rice, compounded by high inflation, floods, and conflict disrupting food production.

She noted that Nigeria has achieved near-universal salt iodisation (95 per cent) and satisfactory fortification of wheat flour, sugar, and vegetable oil. However, compliance remains inconsistent, especially among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) due to weak enforcement and limited access to affordable premixes.

“Strengthening domestic premix production is not just an economic necessity—it is a national imperative,” Kachollom stressed, urging stakeholders to support local production, provide tax waivers, and identify sustainable financing for MSMEs.

Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, described the situation as a “sobering crisis,” noting that Nigeria ranked 110th out of 127 countries on the 2024 Global Hunger Index.

“Malnutrition here is not just about insufficient calories but about hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies,” she said, calling food fortification a proven, cost-effective solution that must be scaled up.

Also, Director of Nutrition at the ministry, Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, highlighted the need for stronger regulation, incentives for local premix producers, and real-time monitoring to close gaps in compliance.

Stakeholders agreed that fortification, if scaled and enforced, remains one of the most effective ways to secure Nigeria’s nutritional future.