Plateau government, UNICEF target 15,000 children in anti-malnutrition drive

In a bid to tackle the growing challenge of child malnutrition, the Plateau State Government has taken delivery of nutritional supplements aimed at improving child health and reducing child mortality across the state. The supplements, procured with support from UNICEF, are expected to benefit over 15,000 children.

The official handing-over ceremony took place at the Government House in Jos, presided over by Josephine Piyo, the Deputy Governor of Plateau State.

Piyo, in her speech, expressed concern over the alarming rate of malnutrition in Nigeria and emphasised the need for urgent and strategic action within Plateau State.

She highlighted the importance of proper nutrition for children, stressing that well-fed children are more likely to grow into healthier, successful adults. The deputy governor thanked UNICEF for the continuous support and reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the organisation.

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Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria, in her speech disclosed that the supplements will cater to over 15,000 children in Plateau. She commended the state government for committing $200,000 towards the procurement and urged other states to emulate Plateau’s initiative in addressing malnutrition.

“Children are indeed the future of every community and every nation. For us at UNICEF, we are fully committed to supporting the efforts of government and community alike. What we are witnessing here today is a strong show of leadership—not just at the state level but also from local governments, community leaders, and young people alike. There is a clear call to action and a strong commitment to tackling child malnutrition.

“I’d also like to commend the Honourable Commissioner for the presentation on the first 1,000 days—a crucial window where 75% of a child’s brain development occurs. If we miss that window, even if the child survives, the opportunity for full development is lost. That’s why investing in children under two years of age is absolutely critical.

“I want to take a moment to sincerely acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of the Plateau State Government. As the Honourable Commissioner highlighted, this isn’t just a one-off initiative—this is a multi-year commitment, and that is exactly what’s required. In 2024, Plateau State committed USD $200,000—a truly significant investment.

“As UNICEF, we are proud to support such efforts. Through the Child Nutrition Fund, a mechanism we have established to match state investments, we have been able to double these efforts. As a result, over 5,000 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) are being handed over today—benefiting more than 15,000 children. This is a major step in prevention, and prevention is where we must focus,” Saeed said.

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Providing alarming statistics, Raymond Jurit, executive secretary of the Plateau State Hospital Management Board, revealed that Nigeria ranks second globally among countries with the highest number of malnourished children. He added that 44.5 percent of children in Plateau are stunted due to poor nutrition.

Jurit also identified harmful traditional feeding practices as a contributor to malnutrition, stressing that every child must receive basic nutritional food within the first 1,000 days of life. He explained that by age two, the human brain develops up to 80 percent, making early childhood nutrition crucial.

In his welcome remarks, Bulus Leshak, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, described malnutrition as a long-standing challenge in the state. He noted that many children have died as a result and emphasised the importance of sustained efforts in combating the crisis.