The Nigerian government has reinforced its commitment to combating malnutrition by prioritizing nutrition in the National Development Agenda. This was highlighted by the Special Assistant to the President on Public, Focal Person Nutrition in the Office of the Vice President, Mrs. Uju Vanstasia Rochas, during a two-day workshop dedicated to reviewing and finalizing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative is a government-led, multi-sectoral program designed to enhance coordination, foster political commitment, improve funding, and elevate the profile of nutrition across all sectors and tiers of government. The initiative aims to scale up high-impact, cost-effective, and evidence-based interventions across critical areas such as health, agriculture, education, social protection, water and sanitation, and women affairs.
“Nutrition is not the responsibility of a single ministry or sector—it is everybody’s business. This initiative unites us as collaborators, breaking down silos to confront malnutrition together,” Mrs. Rochas emphasized.
A Flagship Program for National Nutrition
The initiative serves as the flagship program under the National Council on Nutrition, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. With endorsement from the National Economic Council (NEC), it solidifies nutrition as a national priority within the administration’s development agenda.
A significant milestone within the initiative is the establishment of a House Committee on Food and Nutrition—the first of its kind—at both federal and state levels. According to Mrs. Rochas, the committee’s role is to sustain political commitment, push for legislative support, and ensure that nutrition remains a priority in national policies and budgets.
Government Commitment to Nutrition Security
Speaking on behalf of Vice President Shettima, Deputy Chief of Staff Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia underscored the government’s determination to ensure every Nigerian, especially children, has access to adequate nutrition.
“Malnutrition is a silent crisis that threatens our nation’s future. It stunts human potential, weakens communities, and slows economic growth. Addressing it requires coordinated action across multiple sectors, including health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, and social protection,” he stated.
Hadejia reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to human capital development, emphasizing that the Nutrition 774 Initiative provides a structured framework to implement grassroots-level interventions.
A Call for Collective Action
While the government spearheads the initiative, Hadejia stressed that success hinges on the active involvement of various stakeholders, including:
- Federal, state, and local governments
- Development partners
- The private sector
- Civil society organizations
- Academia
- The media
“This is not a government-only project—it is a shared responsibility. Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must integrate nutrition into their plans and budgets, while the Legislature must ensure adequate funding and oversight. Development partners should align their support to enhance sustainability, and the private sector and civil society must provide innovative solutions and accountability,” he added.
The workshop provided a platform for finalizing the SOP, ensuring that interventions remain data-driven, community-centered, and aligned across sectors and levels of government. Hadejia concluded by emphasizing that real success will be measured by tangible improvements in public health—reduced stunting rates, healthier mothers and children, and empowered communities capable of sustaining these gains for future generations.
Source: THE NATION
