Nutrition

The first 1,000 days of a child's life offer a unique window of opportunity for preventing undernutrition and its consequences. See how UNICEF targets its actions to this critical period to ensure good nutrition for every child in Nigeria.

A child being fed with RUTF
UNICEF/2015/Rich

The Challenge

Malnutrition is a direct or underlying cause of 45 percent of all deaths of under-five children.

Nigeria has the second highest burden of stunted children in the world, with a national prevalence rate of 32 percent of children under five. An estimated 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), but only two out of every 10 children affected is currently reached with treatment. Seven percent of women of childbearing age also suffer from acute malnutrition.

Mothers feed their children with therapeutic food at a malnutrition treatment centre in northern Nigeria
UNICEF/2015/Rich

An estimated 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

Exclusive breastfeeding rates have not improved significantly over the past decade, with only 17 percent of babies being exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life. Just 18 percent of children aged 6-23 months are fed the minimum acceptable diet.

The States in northern Nigeria are the most affected by the two forms of malnutrition – stunting and wasting. High rates of malnutrition pose significant public health and development challenges for the country. Stunting, in addition to an increased risk of death, is also linked to poor cognitive development, a lowered performance in education and low productivity in adulthood - all contributing to economic losses estimated to account for as much as 11 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Solution

We aim to ensure that women, children and adolescents, particularly in vulnerable and deprived areas, benefit from increased access to and use of quality services and information to prevent and treat malnutrition, including in emergencies.​

A boy is being screened for malnutrition at a UNICEF-supported health centre

Strengthen health and community systems and fully integrate nutrition into all aspects of the primary health care system.

Out-patient having Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)

Support the implementation of the National Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition.

A portrait of Francisca Okeke and her 1 year old son, Maduabuchi Okeke at their home in Anambra State

Shift from emergency to development with long-term nutrition interventions that address stunting and severe acute malnutrition.

Expectant mothers during their ante natal care visit to Mallam Sidi ward.

Respond to geographical differences by supporting service delivery in the north and humanitarian situations, and policy advice at state and federal levels.

Nafisa counting money

Align and converge with other sector interventions.

Resources