The Kaduna government has approved N400 million to complement UNICEF’s support, with all funds directed at combating malnutrition.

The Kaduna State Committee on Food and Nutrition chairman, Bashir Muhammad, disclosed this during a breakfast meeting with key stakeholders on Thursday.

The meeting focused on adopting the Child Nutrition Fund and implementing six-month paid maternity leave in Kaduna State.

It was supported by UNICEF and the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria.

Mr Muhammad stated that stunting and wasting among children have significantly reduced due to the government’s interventions on nutrition and health.

He explained that the meeting aimed to advocate and sensitise stakeholders on strategies to reduce malnutrition and improve nutrition for children and women.

He added that legalising relevant policies, including the six-month paid maternity leave already practised in Kaduna, would ensure smooth policy implementation across the state.

Mr Muhammad also noted that crèches are crucial for improving child nutrition, citing the Planning and Budget Commission’s crèche as a positive example.

According to him, when mothers return to work, crèches provide a comfortable space for children to be nursed, supporting better nutrition.

He called for more crèches, particularly in the state secretariat, health ministry, public works ministry, and the Kaduna State University.

“We aim to encourage nursing mothers at workplaces, thereby reducing malnutrition levels across the state,” he added.

Jessica Bartholomew, CS-SUNN’s coordinator in Kaduna, said the purpose of the meeting was to unlock more resources for nutrition funding.

She said CS-SUNN has worked to improve nutrition financing and deemed it vital to bring stakeholders together for updates on funding gaps and needs.

“Gov. Uba Sani’s N400 million child nutrition matching grant is among Nigeria’s highest, reflecting his dedication,” she said.

She added that plans are underway to establish a nutrition department in primary health care and within the Planning and Budget Commission.

In a goodwill message, UNICEF’s nutrition specialist, Chinwe Ezeife, said UNICEF supports Kaduna’s efforts through multiple nutrition-related initiatives.

She highlighted the importance of prevention, integration, and scaling up services to address malnutrition in Kaduna effectively.

Ms Ezeife said UNICEF was collaborating with government bodies, civil society, and stakeholders to legalise and enforce nutrition policies.

(NAN)