After eight years of total shutdown, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has reactivated malnutrition treatment centres across the 44 local government areas, targeting 17,000 severely malnourished children.

The centres, designed to support under-five children experiencing severe food poverty, were abandoned by the immediate past administration, thereby exposing 51.9 per cent of children—equivalent to one out of two children in Kano—to stunting.

Unveiling the treatment centre at Takai Local Government, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed disappointment over the ugly rise in the number of malnourished children who are suffering innocently from the pains.

Governor Yusuf affirmed the counterpart fund of N500 million with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and was optimistic of reversing the disturbing situation with the provision of the supplements.

He added that government has committed huge resources through the counterpart funding to procure 12,948 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to rescue children from the life-threatening condition.

The governor stressed that the supply of Vitamin A supplements and MMS for the first round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week to children 6–59 months and pregnant women will also reduce the burden.

Health Manager, UNICEF Field Office Kano, Dr. Serekeberehan Seyoum Deres, said Kano is the first state in Nigeria with the highest singular contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund, with the release of N500 million.

He said UNICEF and development partners have made huge investments in improving the country and Kano State’s nutrition situation over the years, and the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is one programme making tremendous progress.

The UNICEF chief pledged that the fund will continue to partner with the state and work across key sectors to improve nutrition and health outcomes for the indigenes of Kano State, including women and children.

He, however, solicited the release of more resources in 2025, which UNICEF will also match to procure more commodities, especially RUTF and MMS, through the CNF.

“We need to conduct the second round of MNCHW not later than early December 2025 and procure deworming tablets in sufficient quantities to reach all children 12–59 months in the state.

UNICEF also appeals for Kano State Government to approve six months’ paid maternity leave in the state to protect infant health and nutrition and support exclusive breastfeeding.”