How Nutrition4Kidsng is revolutionizing child nutrition in Nigeria

In the urgent battle against child malnutrition in Nigeria, Nutrition4kidsng a healthtech company, is dedicated to combatting childhood malnutrition, reducing child mortality rates, and addressing long-term health conditions linked to malnutrition. The company’s mission is to build the ‘Amazon’ of child nutrition, creating a comprehensive community ecosystem with evidence-based pediatric nutrition education and a focus on local nutritious products.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria has the 2nd largest number of children with stunted growth in the world with a national prevalence rate of 32 percent under the age of five. The effects of malnutrition and poor feeding habits during the first few years of a child’s life are almost always irreversible as it can cause damage to the brain, leading to poor educational performance and lower IQ, poor growth and development, and an increase in the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease in the future, all requiring medical attention later in life.

Malnourished children are at a higher risk of mortality, especially in cases where there is also starvation. In other cases, they develop weakened immune systems, making them highly vulnerable to multiple illnesses and diseases.

Oftentimes, Parents and Caregivers do not get adequate information and the right amount of support they need to offer their children the right amount of nutrition. There are also widespread cases of food and nutrition insecurity, limiting the access to local rich variety.

While the high rate of malnutrition in Nigeria can also be attributed to the vicious cycle of poverty, especially for children from underserved socio-economic backgrounds, child malnutrition is not confined to impoverished families. According to a report by USAID, a startling 18 percent of children born into the wealthiest families in Nigeria also suffer from stunting, emphasizing the critical need for holistic solutions.

The Nigerian Government has taken some steps towards combating the ill of child malnutrition, including the National Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition, set up as a planning metric to improve the national economic situation and place the spotlight on the welfare of the poor socio-economic backgrounds in the country, as a means of addressing the national malnutrition crisis.

Many Non-governmental organisations and international bodies have also taken steps to provide outreach initiatives to properly combat child malnutrition in Nigeria. However, despite all these efforts, there remain issues that need to be addressed for Nigeria to attain a fully healthy child population.

Nutrition4KidsNg has taken the initiative by attempting to bridge this gap, by leveraging technology to provide clinical nutrition education, lifestyle support, and easy access to local nutritious food products. The team boasts of combined experience in technology, nutrition, legal, finance, and business operations headed by the visionary duo of Ifeyinwa Omesiete and Omolabake Matthew. The company has achieved remarkable success, inspiring over a thousand success stories with a 95 percent positive review rate as regards improved feeding habits and reduced infections.

In a recent milestone, Nutrition4kidsng received a special invitation to the largest stakeholder Industry Consultation organized by UNICEF. This exclusive event brought together key players in the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, nutrition supplies, and immunization devices, underscoring Nutrition4kidsng’s impactful role in the field.

They have also piloted numerous community empowerment initiatives that promote sustainable agricultural practices, collaborating with over 25 local agricultural food processing companies and farmers through their ‘Farm2Table’ e-commerce platform. They have also continued to support local economies by empowering many mothers to start their own healthy food businesses.

The revolutionary work of Nutrition4KidsNg has not gone unnoticed, as they earned several stellar recognitions for their impactful drive in 2023. They were named among the top ten women-led businesses by the Rev Up Initiative, Powered by Afrilabs & Visa Foundation. They were the top five winners of the Orange Corners Innovative Fund Pitch Competition Cohort 9 powered by the Kingdom of Netherlands and Fate Foundation and named in the top 20 winners at the Access Bank Womenprenuer Pitch Competition Cohort 5.

In the face of persistent challenges, Nutrition4kidsng stands resolute in its mission to create a healthier child population in Nigeria. By bridging the gap in nutrition education and facilitating access to nutritious food, the company is spearheading a revolutionary approach to combat child malnutrition.