In the first half of 2025, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) made significant strides in advancing nutrition initiatives across the country. Collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and CS-SUNN, NSN played a key role in launching the Third-Party Advocacy Campaign (T-PAC) in April 2025. This initiative is focused on combating malnutrition through food fortification and workforce nutrition.

Core Nutrition Interventions and Community Outreach

  1. National Nutrition Month (NNM) & World Nutritionist/Dietitian Day – Kano State (Feb–Mar 2025)
  • Objective: To raise awareness and educate communities on nutrition and food security under the theme: “Food System Globalization as a Tool to Achieve Food and Nutrition Security.”
  • Key Activities:
    • Public awareness campaigns and street walks with 120 participants promoting healthy eating habits.
    • Facility visit to Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, resulting in commitments to enhance the hospital’s nutrition unit.
    • Engagements including public lectures, panel discussions, business pitch competitions, and quizzes involving over 520 students and 50 professionals.
    • Community outreach in Wailare Town reaching over 500 children and 480 caregivers with nutrition screening, education, and distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and supplements.
    • Webinar on household food distribution attended by over 38 participants.
    • Donation of food to Nasarawa Orphanage, benefiting 60 children and involving 8 staff members.
  1. Inauguration of NSN Adamawa Chapter – Yola (April 29, 2025)
  • Objective: To establish a professional nutrition body in Adamawa State, enhancing nutrition advocacy and promoting food self-sufficiency.
  • Key Activities:
    • Official inauguration ceremony held in Yola, marking the establishment of the Adamawa State Chapter of NSN.
    • Sensitization lectures addressing malnutrition and the importance of local food production.
    • Mobilization of local stakeholders to foster food and nutrition security initiatives.

The event emphasized the significance of consuming homegrown foods and encouraged communities to engage in farming activities to achieve nutritional balance.

  1. World Health Day 2025 – Edo State (May 7, 2025)
  • Theme: “Healthy Beginnings and Hopeful Futures”
  • Sub-theme: Maternal, Newborn, and Child Nutrition
  • Objective: To create public awareness on the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and advocate for improved maternal and child nutrition services across Edo State.
  • Key Activities:
    • Live radio discussion on EBS Radio featuring nutrition experts discussing maternal and child nutrition.
    • Television talk show on Edo Broadcasting Service (EBSTV) highlighting nutritional needs of mothers and children.
    • Advocacy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EPHCDA) to discuss establishing a functional Department of Nutrition and employing qualified Nutrition Officers across all 18 LGAs.
    • Symposium at the College of Nursing Sciences, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, attended by over 100 nursing and medical students.
  1. Almajiri Feeding Program and WASH Intervention – Katsina State (Feb 19, 2025)
  • Objective: To educate Almajirai on the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and support their nutritional needs.
  • Key Activities:
    • WASH education and awareness campaign at Makarantar Mallam Saddiku in Galadinci Quarters, training 256 Almajirai on proper handwashing techniques and water purification methods.
    • Distribution of food to all participating children to support their nutritional needs and encourage participation.

Success Stories and Best Practices:

During the community outreach in Wailare Town, Makoda LGA, Kano State, over 500 children under five were screened for malnutrition. One notable case involved a 2-year-old child exhibiting signs of wasting with a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurement in the red zone. The child, previously untreated, was referred to a primary health care facility, and subsequent follow-ups indicated significant improvement in the child’s nutritional status.

 

Research and Innovation:

  • Title of Research: Chemical Compositions of Cussonia bateri (Jansa Seed) – An Underutilized Spice in Nigeria.

Authors: Chidimma P. Arua, J. U. Anyika-Elekeh, Scholastica N. Eze, Peace N. A, Nkechi G. Onyeke, C.O. Anoshirike.

DOI: 10.4314/njns.v45i1.9                             Published: February 12, 2025

This study evaluated the nutrient and antinutrient profiles of Jansa seed, an underutilized spice in Nigeria. It revealed high fat, carbohydrate, fibre, and vitamin B content with minimal antinutrients, suggesting its potential to contribute to food security and nutrient adequacy in Nigerian diets.

  • Title of Research: Modelling Beta-Carotene Retention in Three Nigerian Palm Oil Soups

Authors: Ibukun Afolami, Chisom Okafor

DOI: 10.4314/njns.v45i1.21               Published: February 12, 2025

This research used mathematical models to assess beta-carotene degradation during pre-heating and cooking of palm oil soups. It highlighted substantial carotenoid loss and advocated for changes in traditional cooking practices to retain vitamin A in local diets.

  • Title of Research: Effective Multisectoral Partnerships for Stronger Nutrition Programming in Southern Nigeria

 

Authors: Ariyo Oluwaseun, Afolabi Wasiu Akinloye, Ezeogu Ada, Oyetunji Moruff, Alarape Khadija

DOI: 10.4314/njns.v45i1.3                                         Published: February 12, 2025

This article documents the challenges and achievements of multisectoral nutrition programming across seven states, offering actionable recommendations for coordination, capacity-building, and stakeholder engagement in nutrition policy implementation.

 

Celebrating Food and Nutrition Champions

  • Dr. Rita Nwankwo – Adamawa State: Spearheaded the formation and inauguration of the NSN Adamawa Chapter, rallying stakeholders towards achieving nutrition security in the state.
  • Miss Saadatu Sulaiman – Kano State: As Chairperson of the National Nutrition Month 2025 celebration, she successfully raised awareness on nutrition, engaged communities, and empowered students and professionals.
  • Mr. Ibrahim Suleiman Yantaba – Katsina State: Advocated for the inclusion of nutritionists in the Health Service Management Board recruitment, resulting in the employment of 15 nutritionists. He also established Food and Nutrition Clubs in six government girls’ secondary schools and trained 187 women on breastfeeding practices.

 

Upcoming Events

  1. NSN Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting
  • Date: September 14–19, 2025
  • Location: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • Theme: “Advancing Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) in Nigeria: Innovations and Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Impact”
  • Expected Outcomes: Presentation of new research and innovations in nutrition, development of actionable recommendations for MIYCN policy and programming, and strengthened collaboration between academia, public institutions, and the private sector.
  1. 23rd International Congress of Nutrition (IUNS-ICN 2025)
  • Date: August 24–29, 2025
  • Location: Paris, France
  • Theme: “Sustainable Food for Global Health”
  • Expected Outcomes: Sharing of global best practices in food systems and public health nutrition, participation of Nigerian scholars in technical sessions, and promotion of sustainable nutrition approaches in low- and middle-income countries.

Recommendations:

To achieve sustainable improvements in nutrition outcomes, the NSN recommends that nutrition be prioritized in Nigeria’s national and state budgets with a dedicated line for both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. Sectorial ministries such as Health, Agriculture, and Education should integrate nutrition into their annual plans and budgets. Strengthening the Nutrition Performance Management System (PMS) and ensuring regular data reporting is essential for accountability.