A recent report by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, or Think Tank, indicates that 40 percent of Nigerian children under five suffer from stunted growth. Furthermore, eight percent of children in this age group are affected by wasting, while 27 percent are underweight, with the most severe cases concentrated in the North-West and North-East regions.
Titled “Why malnutrition persists in northern Nigeria: Strengthening nutrition governance, financing and primary healthcare,” the report argues that the crisis persists due to institutional failures, weak governance, and a lack of accountability, rather than an absence of policies. It suggests that government efforts have historically been reactive, focusing on severe cases rather than preventative care during pregnancy and early childhood.
The study highlights significant food poverty in conflict-ridden states, noting that 67 percent of children in Borno, 66 percent in Yobe, and 60 percent in Adamawa are impacted. The authors, Dr. Suleiman Bello and Joshua Abah, emphasize that the lack of an accountable delivery system linking health, social protection, and agriculture prevents meaningful progress. The report calls for quarterly compliance reporting, stronger ward-level monitoring, and treating nutrition as a measurable government obligation.
Experts and observers have linked the nutrition crisis to broader issues, including insecurity and difficult economic conditions. Dr. Pogu Bitrus, president of the Middle Belt Forum, noted that banditry prevents farmers from accessing their lands, leading to food shortages that extend beyond the northern regions. Sabiu Abubakar, an educator and farmer, agreed, highlighting that while seasonal food shortages are traditional, kidnapping and violence have made food scarcity a year-round reality exacerbated by rising costs.
Public affairs analyst Adedayo Oluseye argued that the removal of fuel subsidies and burdensome taxation have pushed nutritious food out of reach for many families. He suggested that parents now prioritize calorie intake over food quality, which drives malnutrition. Analysts agree that the government must address insecurity to allow farmers to return to work while simultaneously providing immediate food aid and supplements to vulnerable families to mitigate the long-term impact on child development.