Stakeholders in the nutrition sector have raised concerns over the burden of severe acute malnutrition among Nigerian children, with nearly two million affected and only two in every 10 receiving treatment.

The President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Prof. Salisu Abubakar, disclosed this at the 56th Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the society in Lagos, saying the situation required stronger and more coordinated action.

Abubakar said Nigeria continued to face malnutrition in all its forms, with the latest nutrition evidence presenting a mixed picture. While wasting fell to 4.7 per cent in the 2025–26 Mini-DHS, chronic malnutrition remained entrenched, with 41.1 per cent of children under five stunted and 19.2 per cent severely stunted.

He said the burden was particularly severe in the North-West, where 58.2 per cent of children were stunted. The National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey also showed persistent deficiencies in vitamin A, zinc and folic acid, alongside inadequate coverage of micronutrient interventions.

Abubakar said the nutrition crisis was being compounded by worsening food insecurity, with the latest Cadre Harmonisé analysis projecting that nearly 36 million Nigerians would face acute food insecurity during this year’s lean season.

According to him, the figure is the highest ever recorded in the country and is driven largely by conflict. He also cited the 2025 Global Hunger Index, in which Nigeria scored 32.8 and ranked 115th among 123 countries assessed, a level classified as “serious.”

Abubakar further cited National Bureau of Statistics data showing that 133 million Nigerians, representing 63 per cent of the population, live in multidimensional poverty, with inadequate nutrition among the indicators.

e called for a coordinated response across the life course, linking nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, food and health systems, research with policy and implementation, and government leadership with the capacities of academia, professional bodies, communities, civil society and the private sector.

Abubakar said the challenge was no longer simply to reduce malnutrition but to transform the systems that perpetuate it, ensuring access to safe, affordable, diverse and nutritious diets and essential nutrition services.

On professional regulation, he said the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria (NRCN) Bill had passed second reading at the National Assembly and was awaiting committee consideration.

He described the development as an important milestone that would provide statutory protection for the nutrition profession and strengthen the capacity of professionals addressing the country’s nutrition challenges.
Abubakar also called for stronger evidence, better nutrition data and improved surveillance systems to guide decision-making and ensure interventions reach vulnerable populations.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr ‘Dayo Lajide, called for stronger evidence-based policies, improved nutrition data and more effective surveillance and monitoring systems.

She also urged stakeholders to deploy technology and innovation to improve nutrition education, service delivery, data collection and accountability, while integrating nutrition into the broader development agenda.

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stressed the need for collaboration among regulators, nutrition professionals, academia, industry and policymakers to address nutrition and diet-related health challenges.

In her goodwill message, Adeyeye said NAFDAC remained committed to ensuring access to safe, wholesome, nutritious and properly labelled foods.

She highlighted the agency’s recently launched “Read the Food Label” campaign, describing its collaboration with the NSN as an example of stakeholder synergy aimed at improving nutrition awareness and consumer protection.

Adeyeye said the campaign and other collaborative efforts underscored the need for evidence-based regulation, stakeholder engagement and sustained public awareness to improve food safety and nutrition outcomes.