Within the first quarter of 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of the Chair of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) and Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, intensified national efforts to combat the longstanding malnutrition crisis through the launch of the Nutrition 774 Initiative—a bold, grassroots-focused, and multi-sectoral strategy targeting all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the federation.
Strengthening Political Will and Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
At a virtual high-level meeting of the National Council on Nutrition held at the Presidential Villa, the Vice President emphasized the urgent need for coordinated, evidence-based interventions to address malnutrition, describing it as a national security threat and a critical barrier to Nigeria’s economic productivity and educational development.
He stated, “Malnutrition is not just a health issue. It is the root cause of learning difficulties, weakened immune systems, low productivity, and stunted national growth. Discussions without tangible results are futile. We must act now.”
The Vice President called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), state governors, local government chairmen, and private sector stakeholders to embrace a multi-sectoral and data-driven approach, pledging that government-led interventions must be backed with practical, community-level impact.
Institutionalizing Nutrition through the Nutrition 774 and ANRiN 2.0 Synergy
During the 148th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, VP Shettima officially launched the Nutrition 774 Initiative—a grassroots programme anchored on strengthening community ownership of nutrition interventions, expanding access to lifesaving nutrition services for mothers and children, and institutionalizing nutrition governance at the LGA level.
He also announced the rollout of ANRiN 2.0 (Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Phase 2), building on the achievements of the first phase and integrating it fully with the Nutrition 774 to boost national reach, coordination, and sustainability.
To optimize alignment, the Vice President directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to integrate the ANRiN 2.0 framework with the Nutrition 774 initiative, while also instructing the Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning and Women Affairs to establish Nutrition Departments in their structures. This, he noted, would enhance accountability and resource optimization at all levels.
“These initiatives are not just policies on paper—they are commitments in action designed to change lives,” Shettima declared. “No community must be left behind.”
A National Call to Action: From Vision to Impact
The launch serves as a critical call to action and a pledge of political commitment. Shettima appealed to all stakeholders to commit resources, technical support, and policy alignment to the cause.
“This compact is not just ink on paper—it is a commitment to millions of children whose future must not be defined by hunger and stunting. Let us remember: no investment yields higher returns than in the health and wellbeing of our people.”
Stakeholders’ Commitments and NEC Endorsement
The 36 state governors, led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF), who is also the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, pledged unwavering support for the initiative. Local Government Chairmen, civil society organizations, and development partners echoed similar commitments during the NEC session.
Looking Ahead: Nutrition as National Priority
As Nigeria intensifies its efforts to scale up lifesaving interventions and improve nutrition outcomes, the Nutrition 774 Initiative stands out as a national turning point—a model of decentralized, equity-focused, and evidence-based nutrition programming. The NCFN encourages all states and LGAs to align their local development frameworks with this initiative and ensure sustained results for mothers, children, and the most vulnerable.
Quote from Vice President Kasshim Shettima
“The N774 initiative, a grassroots driven program designed to institutionalize nutrition at the Local Government level ensuring that ensuring that no community is left behind. We also have only 2.0 that is building on the successes of 1.0 to scale up the impact and guarantee the sustainability of our interventions across the nation. These initiatives are not just policies on paper; they are commitments in action designed to change lives”