The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for urgent and sustained investment in child nutrition, maternal health, and newborn care to combat malnutrition and improve child survival in Nigeria.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday after visiting Bauchi and Plateau States, where she met government officials, traditional leaders, and community groups to discuss child health and wellbeing.
She urged the Bauchi and Plateau governments to increase funding for nutrition, invest in local food solutions, and expand community-driven initiatives that are already saving lives. “If governments, communities, and partners come together for children and act with urgency, we can give every child in Nigeria the chance not just to survive, but to truly thrive,” she said.
In Plateau, Ms. Saeed commended the government’s investment in the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), which secured more than 5,300 cartons of supplements for 15,000 children. However, she noted that nearly half of children under five remain stunted, stressing the need for timely release of pledged funds and greater support for locally available nutritious foods.
In Bauchi, she engaged Governor Bala Mohammed on strengthening healthcare and education, while praising efforts to expand newborn care, renovate primary healthcare centres, and promote child-friendly services. She also highlighted the role of community groups such as “Fathers for Good Health” and “Mama2Mama” support networks in spreading health messages and supporting families.
At a nutrition facility, Ms. Saeed described meeting children with severe acute malnutrition as a painful reminder of the urgency of the crisis. “Behind every statistic is a child, a mother’s hope, and a father’s dream. No child should suffer this way. Their survival depends on the choices and actions we take now, not tomorrow,” she said.
She welcomed Bauchi State’s release of ₦300 million to the UNICEF-managed CNF, which will be matched to expand access to lifesaving nutrition interventions. She added that the progress in Bauchi and Plateau shows what is possible when leadership, communities, and partners unite for children, urging other states to follow suit.
