To the Esteemed Members of Nutrition Society of Nigeria,

As the sacred month of Ramadan concludes, we extend our warmest Eid al-Fitr greetings to you and your loved ones. May this blessed occasion renew your faith, strengthen your resolve, and envelop you in the divine mercy and peace of Allah (SWT).

To the dedicated nutritionists and healthcare professionals of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria,

Your unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health, even during moments of personal sacrifice, is a testament to the spirit of Ramadan’s compassion and Eid’s joy. Just as fasting teaches empathy, your work embodies healing—bridging science and humanity to serve those in need.

This Eid, may your homes be filled with laughter and your hearts with gratitude, with continued growth and fulfillment.

Eid Mubarak! Together, may we carry forward the lessons of Ramadan—kindness, resilience, and service—into a year of health, unity, and shared progress.

Sodium is vital for nerve function and fluid balance, but excessive intake increases risks of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The WHO recommends ≤2g sodium daily (5g salt), yet global consumption—including in Nigeria—exceeds this, driving preventable illnesses.

Nigeria’s National Sodium Reduction Strategy
Aligned with WHO’s global targets, Nigeria’s National Multi-sectoral Action Plan for NCD Prevention (2019-2025) aims to curb sodium intake through a multi-stakeholder approach led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW).

Key Goals by 2030
– Cut sodium intake to ≤2g/day (30% reduction).
– Reduce hypertension prevalence from 27.6% to 21%.
– Boost low-sodium food availability by 60%.
– Reformulate processed foods to lower sodium without compromising taste or quality.
– Raise public awareness about sodium-related health risks.
– Strengthen food labeling laws and restrict unhealthy food marketing, especially to children.

How Nigeria Will Achieve This
Using WHO’s SHAKE framework :
Surveillance: Monitor sodium sources, food sodium levels, and health impacts.
Industry Collaboration: Set sodium benchmarks for processed foods.
Regulation: Enforce clear nutrition labels and restrict harmful marketing.
Education: Run public campaigns promoting healthier diets.
Healthy Food Environments: Prioritize low-sodium options in schools, eateries, and public institutions.
 
Stakeholder Roles
Government: Revise regulations, coordinate ministries, and train food safety officials.
Food Industry: Reformulate products and comply with sodium targets.
Healthcare Workers: Educate patients on sodium reduction.
Consumers: Choose low-sodium options and advocate for healthier diets.

Call to Action
The FMoHSW urges collaboration across sectors—policymakers, manufacturers, and citizens—to create a healthier Nigeria. By cutting sodium, the nation aims to slash NCD rates and improve quality of life.
Vision: A Nigeria where reduced sodium intake fosters a thriving, heart-healthy population.
Join the movement—small changes in diet can lead to monumental health gains!

Key Fact: Nigeria’s National Technical Working Group on Sodium Reduction (NTWG-SR) oversees progress, ensuring cohesive efforts to meet 2030 targets.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has declared that it is time to move beyond talk and take decisive action to end malnutrition in Nigeria, directing members of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders to adopt a multisectoral approach to the ongoing efforts.

According to him, malnutrition is a crisis that threatens the nation’s security and economic productivity, and without tangible results, discussions, committees, and even the Council itself would amount to nothing more than an exercise in futility.

Senator Shettima, who spoke on Wednesday during a virtual meeting of NCN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said beyond statistics, nutritional deficiencies are a palpable reality.

“We are dealing with a crisis that threatens both our national security and economic productivity. Malnutrition is not just a health issue; it is a silent emergency that affects cognitive development, weakens our workforce, and slows down the engine of national growth.

“This is why we must approach it with the urgency it deserves. This is why we must champion a multisectoral response that brings together our MDAs, development partners, and the private sector in a coordinated quest for lasting solutions,” the Vice President stated.

He however acknowledged the importance of data and statistics in tackling malnutrition, maintaining that whatever policies or programmes that are prioritised “must be guided by practical, evidence-based assessments.

“We must empower the institutions responsible for food and nutrition governance to deliver on their mandates, and this Council must take the lead in ensuring that our efforts are strategic, data-driven, and results-oriented.

“The interventions rolled out under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are products of careful analysis and informed decision-making. We have the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a grassroots-driven programme designed to institutionalise nutrition at the local government level, ensuring that no community is left behind,” he added.

VP Shettima emphasised the need for the government to take the lead in meeting the funding requirements, saying the success of any intervention cannot be guaranteed unless it is financially spearheaded by the government.

“Nigeria’s demographic size makes us a focal point of global concern, and our efforts are part of a broader international campaign to end malnutrition. However, global commitments mean nothing if they are not translated into domestic accountability. The world is watching us, but more importantly, the Nigerian people are counting on us,” the VP said.

Earlier, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the purpose of the meeting was to scale up actions on issues concerning food and nutrition in the country.

“This council is a platform for marking up, assessing and driving forward the national agenda on the nutritional health and well-being of our people. It also marks a pivotal checkpoint in our national efforts to address challenges in improving food and nutrition across all sectors, promote better health outcomes and strengthen collaboration,” he said.

Also, Secretary to the Council and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi, said the meeting deliberated on significant milestones in Nigeria’s effort to address malnutrition and food security in Nigeria.

Obi said, “The multifaceted nature and complexity of the challenges of nutrition require a multisectoral and multidisciplinary approach involving all stakeholders at both the national and subnational levels of government with the support of development partners and stakeholders”.

On the update on the Activation of the National Nutrition Dashboard, the council resolved to keep the dashboard running online, as having the devices in offices is insufficient.

The council recommended that the dashboard be established at the Ministry of Finance Headquarters, the governors’ forum, key government ministries, and offices of key development partners.

On the Establishment of Nutrition Departments in Key Federal MDAs, the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and National Primary Health Care Development Agency now have nutrition departments.

Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Federal Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning, and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment currently have nutrition divisions, while the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Information & National Orientation have Nutrition Unit and Nutrition Branch respectively.

The Council resolved that the Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning and the Ministry of Women Affairs should take the lead in establishing a nutrition department in their ministries.

On the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project Close-Out and ANRiN 2.0, the council directed the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare to ensure ANRiN 2.0 is fully integrated with the N774 Initiative, as this alignment will enhance coordination, resource optimization, and impact at the grassroots level.

It also requested the Federal Ministry of Finance to advocate for expedited approval from the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly to prevent delays in implementation.

It also resolved to appoint a high-level committee co-chaired by the Minister of Health and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to lead the development of a Food and Nutrition Crisis Preparedness Plan and ensure a coordinated approach across relevant ministries, development partners, and the private sector.

On the update on the Nutrition 774 Initiative, the council resolved that all nutrition programmes must align with the N774 Initiative to ensure a coordinated and unified national response.

It also resolved that the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning should develop clear timelines and coordinate relevant ministries for the effective implementation of the N774 Initiative, and that the implementation of the N774 Initiative must begin by July 2025 at the latest.

There were other updates on the Review of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition, Nutrition for Growth (N4G) project, and the Presidential Nutrition Investment Fund.

Source: State House

The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) has partnered with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) to recruit expert reviewers for the 2025 International Congress of Nutrition (ICN 2025). With a record-breaking number of abstract submissions anticipated, we’re calling on qualified professionals like you to ensure rigorous, fair, and timely evaluations.

Why Volunteer?
Global Impact : Influence cutting-edge nutrition research and discourse.
Professional Growth : Enhance your CV and gain recognition in the global nutrition community.
Networking : Connect with leading experts and peers from around the world.

Reviewer Role Overview
Responsibility: Evaluate abstracts for scientific quality and alignment with ICN 2025 themes.
Time Commitment: Review up to 100 abstracts (flexible based on availability) from March 24–31, 2024.

Eligibility Requirements :
– Advanced expertise in nutritional sciences and prior peer review experience.
– Specialization in at least one of the congress themes:
– The Future of Nutrition Recommendations
– Climate Change, Sustainability, and Nutrition
– Food Science, Gastronomy, and Life Quality
– Global Health and Planetary Nutrition
– Public Health and Nutrition Across the Lifespan
– Non-Communicable Diseases
– Precision and Clinical Nutrition
– Basic Research in Nutrition
How to Apply
Submit the following to info@nutritionnigeria.org by March 20, 2025, 4:00 PM :

Statement of Interest: Briefly outline your expertise and preferred theme(s).
Updated CV: Include your phone number and email address.
NSN Membership Proof: Provide your active membership number.

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by the NSN Secretariat and National Planning Committee to ensure alignment with IUNS standards. Only shortlisted candidates will be nominated.

Act Fast – Secure Your Spot!
Slots are limited—don’t miss this chance to contribute to a landmark event in nutrition science.

For questions, contact the NSN National Secretariat.

Join us in advancing nutrition for a healthier world!

Deadline: March 20, 2025, 4:00 PM
Email: info@nutritionnigeria.org
Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN)

GAIN’s Fortify Forward Innovation Challenge 2024-2025 welcomes exciting new ideas in Industrial Food Fortification and Biofortification from East and West Africa! If you’ve got a game-changing concept, product, or process that’s set to shake up the food value chain and make fortification and biofortification better, faster, exact and more impactful, we want to hear from YOU !

Whether you’re an adventurous entrepreneur, a bold startup, or a visionary agency with a fresh local solution for Africa, this is your moment! We’re here to supercharge your work by connecting you with top mentors and industry leaders, showcasing your brilliance to partners across the private sector, government, and beyond—both in Africa and around the globe; and not to forget, the attractive prize money that can fuel your dreams !

Let’s team up to spotlight your innovative solutions and tackle malnutrition head-on ! Apply today !