Investing in nutrition will boost Nigeria’s economy — NGO

The Country Director of Nutrition International, Dr. Osita, has called for urgent and increased investment in nutrition, stressing that it is a critical driver of Nigeria’s human capital development and economic growth.

Speaking at the high-level event “Nutrition Now! Investing in Nigeria’s Human Capital and Economic Potential,” Dr. Osita noted the severe consequences of malnutrition and the immense benefits of prioritizing nutrition interventions.

The event, co-hosted by the Government of Nigeria and the High Commission of Canada, brought together key stakeholders, including Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and senior officials from the Federal Ministries of Health and Budget & Planning.

Dr. Osita stressed that malnutrition is not just a health issue but an economic and development crisis. “New evidence continues to show that investing in nutrition yields profound health, education, and economic benefits. The cost of inaction is too high to ignore,” he said.

He introduced Nutrition International’s Cost of Inaction Tool, which calculates the potential losses in human capital and economic productivity if malnutrition persists.

The statistics are alarming. According to Dr. Osita, 9.4 million children under five have received life-saving vitamin A supplementation, which can prevent up to 12% of childhood deaths.

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Additionally, 26.4 million doses of iron and folic acid have been distributed to pregnant women, significantly reducing maternal health risks. Furthermore, 800,000 caregivers have been trained in diarrhea prevention and management, a critical intervention for child survival.

Despite these achievements, Dr. Osita noted that gaps remain, and 2025 presents a pivotal moment for action, particularly with the upcoming Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in March.

Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to nutrition, revealing a new national master plan designed to integrate nutrition across key sectors. Minister Bagudu also stressed that strengthening nutrition policies and programs remains a top priority for economic resilience.

As Nigeria prepares for the N4G Summit, Dr. Osita urged the government to adopt bold and ambitious commitments that will set the country on a path to eliminating malnutrition.

“This is an opportunity for Nigeria to lead by example and make nutrition a national priority,” he said.

The event concluded with a call to action, reinforcing that nutrition is the foundation of a prosperous Nigeria.

“If we invest wisely today, we will build a healthier, stronger, and more productive nation for generations to come,” Dr. Osita said.