In the first quarter of 2025, the Nutrition Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) made significant strides in advancing Nigeria’s nutrition agenda, both domestically and on the international stage.

Global Engagement and Strategic Development

A notable highlight was Nigeria’s active participation in the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit held in Paris from March 27 to 28, 2025. The summit served as a global platform to elevate nutrition within the sustainable development agenda and to mobilize political and financial commitments to combat malnutrition. Nigeria’s delegation reaffirmed the nation’s dedication to improving nutrition outcomes and meeting global nutritional targets.

Domestically, the Ministry developed the National Strategy for Social Behavior Change (SBC) throughout the life cycle, accompanied by a comprehensive training manual. This initiative aims to foster positive nutrition behaviors across all age groups, ensuring that no demographic is left behind.

Enhancing Maternal Nutrition and Health Systems

To address micronutrient deficiencies, the Ministry facilitated the distribution of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to health facilities nationwide. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance the nutritional status of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.

In a significant policy advancement, MMS and Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements were enlisted into the national essential medicines list. Furthermore, nutrition commodities were onboarded into the Nigeria Health Logistics Management Information System, enhancing supply chain efficiency and data management.

Capacity Building and Program Implementation

To bolster the capacity of health professionals, a National Training of Trainers (ToT) on the SBC strategy was conducted. This program equipped trainers with the necessary skills to effectively implement SBC interventions across various life stages.

The Ministry also revitalized the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the Southeast zone. This revitalization included developing a work plan for building the capacity of frontline health workers and promoting the revised 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding across all healthcare facility levels.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Initiatives

The Ministry has outlined several key activities for the upcoming quarters:

  • Commemoration of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week to promote optimal infant feeding practices.
  • Pretesting of the finalized BFHI assessment tools to ensure their effectiveness and applicability.
  • Printing and dissemination of the Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) Strategy to support continuous learning in nutrition programs.
  • Development of a Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW) to track progress and outcomes.
  • Quarterly monitoring and supportive supervision across the six geopolitical zones to ensure the quality and effectiveness of nutrition interventions.

These initiatives underscore the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and achieving the nation’s health and development goals.