Adamawa, UNICEF distribute 2.7m doses of supplement to fight malnutrition

In a significant boost to child nutrition efforts, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with the Adamawa State government to distribute 4,290 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS) in Adamawa State to tackle malnutrition and related diseases.

The donation, officially handed over in Yola on Thursday by Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, contains approximately 2.57 million doses—enough to benefit at least 85,000 children.

Rafique commended the Adamawa government for leveraging the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) mechanism, which UNICEF manages with support from international donors.

“You are among the first states to take advantage of this matching grant opportunity to support mothers, children, and vulnerable groups. Malnutrition remains a major challenge in the state, and these supplements will play a crucial role in preventing children from falling into severe malnutrition,” she said.

She also lauded donors for their contributions, ensuring life-saving nutrition reaches the most vulnerable children in Adamawa and across Nigeria.

Adamawa State Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, Mr. Felix Tangwami, attributed rising malnutrition rates to insecurity and insurgency, which have disrupted farming and limited access to nutritious food.

“Our farmers no longer have the same level of access to farmlands, leading to a decline in the availability of quality food. Despite limited resources and competing demands, the governor continues to prioritize the health sector because a healthy society is key to a prosperous future,” Tangwami said.

He assured that the supplements would be properly distributed to reach the intended beneficiaries.

Dr. Bashir Sulaiman, Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, applauded the state’s swift action in securing funding. He revealed that the governor had already released ₦100 million towards the matching grant for SQLNS procurement and has committed an additional ₦300 million for the year to sustain the fight against malnutrition.

Sulaiman called for continued collaboration with UNICEF to improve child nutrition and overall health outcomes in the state.

The supplements were procured through the CNF, which operates as a match-funding instrument. Under this model, UNICEF and its partners, including the UK Government, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, match government investments in essential nutrition commodities on a 1:1 ratio.

This approach allows states to double their investment in nutrition programs, accelerating the prevention, early detection, and treatment of malnutrition.