The federal government has mobilised over N7.6 billion for child nutrition, enabling essential micronutrients to reach millions of women and children. 

Vice-President Kashim Shettima  disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a UNICEF delegation led by Executive Director Catherine Russell at the Presidential Villa. He said the investments were mobilised through the Presidential Nutrition Intervention Fund.

The vice-president said the administration was implementing programmes to strengthen the future of Nigerian children despite prevailing economic and social challenges.

He described investment in children as critical, warning that raising a generation without opportunities would be a national tragedy.

Mr Shettima, who commended UNICEF for its continued partnership, described the organisation as a dependable ally providing expertise and practical support for child-focused programmes.

He noted that global developments increasingly affected children’s well-being, making sustained investment in their future more important.

Mr Shettima listed key initiatives of the administration, including the Nutrition 774 Initiative, the Renewed Hope Child Support Programme, and the Nigeria 2050 Child Foresight Analysis.

He said the Nutrition 774 Initiative would strengthen nutrition governance across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. According to him, UNICEF is supporting Nigeria’s 2050 Child Foresight Analysis through horizon scanning, scenario planning and evidence-based policy recommendations.

He said the initiative was progressing toward subnational implementation through a multi-stakeholder technical working group.

Mr Shettima said Generation Unlimited Nigeria aims to connect 20 million young Nigerians to livelihood opportunities by 2030. He said the National Human Capital Development Programme seeks to place Nigeria among the world’s top 80 countries on the Human Capital Index by 2030.

According to him, the programme focuses on investments in health, nutrition, foundational learning and pathways to productive employment.

Mr Shettima said the initiatives reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to placing human capital at the centre of national development. He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Universal Child Benefit, with 2026 designated as the Year of Family and Social Protection.

He said the Renewed Hope Baby Support Initiative would drive implementation, adding that North-West governors had endorsed the programme while Lagos State was preparing to commence implementation.

Ms Russell commended Tinubu and Shettima for implementing reforms that were expanding opportunities for Nigerian children. She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through improved healthcare, financing and social protection programmes.

Health minister Ali Pate praised UNICEF’s partnership with Nigeria across critical sectors.

Mr Pate said UNICEF procured vaccines for Nigeria and provided technical support to strengthen the country’s health institutions. 

(NAN)