Kwara State government has stepped up collaborative moves with the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) towards combating child malnutrition in the state.

The moves, according to stakeholders, would improve health outcomes for youngest citizens amidst approximately 31 million Nigerians facing food insecurity.

The partnership was sealed recently during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin, where UNICEF’s Chief of Child Nutrition Development, Nemat Hajeebhoy, engaged state and local council committees on food and nutrition in a focused orientation meeting.

Hajeebhoy emphasised the severity of childhood poverty in Nigeria, noting that two of every three children suffer from malnutrition, in spite of Nigeria’s growing economy.

“Ranked second only to India in the global burden of malnourished children, Nigeria faces significant challenges that demand coordinated action.

“Central to addressing these challenges is the promotion of breastfeeding during the critical first 1,000 days of life when optimal nutrition is crucial for physical growth and cognitive development.

“Breast milk provides essential nutrients and protection against illness, helping children grow healthier and smarter,” Hajeebhoy explained. She urged local councils in the state to maintain detailed records of babies in their areas to facilitate targeted interventions.   She further urged universal immunisation coverage and safe childbirth practices to reduce infant and maternal mortality.

The UNICEF chief stressed the need for clean water, sanitation, and open-defecation-free communities to prevent diseases and promote overall child health.

Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to child nutrition policies.   She highlighted ongoing initiatives, including promoting exclusive breastfeeding through supportive maternity leave policies that allow civil servants six months to nurture their infants.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, AbdulRahman Ladan, lauded the partnership, pledging the support of the local councils for children’s health, specifically by taking ownership of nutrition programmes.