Shettima Says Nutrition Bill Will Strengthen Funding and Accountability Across Nigeria

Vice President Kashim Shettima says the Federal Government intends to speed up work on a National Food and Nutrition Bill as part of efforts to give Nigeria's nutrition programmes a stronger legal and financial foundation.

Speaking at the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Addis Ababa, Shettima said the proposed legislation is expected to reinforce the Nutrition 774 Initiative and support closer coordination among federal, state and local authorities. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.

The proposed law is being presented as a way to protect nutrition financing and strengthen accountability beyond the lifespan of individual administrations. Shettima said nutrition committees are already operating in 32 state houses of assembly, while similar structures have been established in more than 450 local government areas. Under the Nutrition 774 framework, governors and council chairpersons are expected to take responsibility for implementation within their jurisdictions.

Funding was a major focus of the forum. Shettima said Nigeria committed $26 million to the Child Nutrition Fund and attracted an equivalent amount in matching support, bringing the total unlocked through the arrangement to $52 million. He also said 21 states had contributed $6.3 million since 2023 toward supplies used for preventing and treating malnutrition.

The Vice President said the proposed Presidential Nutrition Investment Fund would be designed to provide catalytic financing, while a Nutrition Financing Subcommittee is working on ways to mobilise more domestic resources. He added that the government is developing systems intended to connect public spending with measurable nutrition outcomes.

Nigeria's National Policy on Food and Nutrition for 2026 to 2035 has set targets for reducing stunting among children. According to figures presented by Shettima, the government aims to bring the rate down to 32 per cent by 2029, 28 per cent by 2032 and 25 per cent by 2035. He also stated that 40 per cent of Nigerian children under five are currently affected by stunting and estimated the annual economic cost of undernutrition at $56 billion.

Shettima said the government is working with states on plans that combine interventions in health, agriculture, education, social protection, water, sanitation and hygiene. He also said private-sector engagement includes food vendors, small businesses, manufacturers, financiers and regulators, with additional attention being given to compliance with food fortification requirements covering products including salt, flour, edible oil and sugar.

The forum also focused on cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia. Shettima said both countries would work toward a joint statement on continued collaboration in nutrition. Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, stressed the importance of political leadership, financing and accountability, while Health Minister Mekdes Daba highlighted the country's Seqota Declaration, which targets an end to child stunting by 2030.

Members of the Nigerian delegation included governors, ministers and senior public officials. Participants from Nigeria also pledged greater attention to technology, financing, education and food systems as part of efforts to improve nutrition outcomes.