Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the country's $26 million commitment to the Child Nutrition Fund has attracted a matching grant, unlocking $52 million. This development was revealed during the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Shettima emphasized that 21 states have contributed $6.3 million since 2023 for supplies aimed at preventing and treating malnutrition.
Shettima also disclosed that Nigeria will accelerate work on a National Food and Nutrition Bill to protect nutrition financing, strengthen accountability, and sustain interventions across successive administrations. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen the Federal Government's Nutrition 774 Initiative and deepen a compact among federal, state, and local governments to deliver a unified response to malnutrition.
The Vice President noted that Nigeria's National Policy on Food and Nutrition 2026–2035 has set targets to reduce the country's stunting rate to 32 percent by 2029, 28 percent by 2032, and 25 percent by 2035. With nutrition committees already established in 32 state Houses of Assembly, Shettima believes it is time to give the country's nutrition response stronger legislative backing.
Shettima also disclosed that nutrition committees have been established in more than 450 local governments, while the Federal Government is strengthening state councils and delivery capacity across all levels of government. The Nutrition 774 Initiative provides a single framework that brings together all tiers of government, with governors and local government chairpersons expected to lead implementation within their respective jurisdictions.
The Vice President explained that the proposed Presidential Nutrition Investment Fund would provide catalytic financing, while the Nutrition Financing Subcommittee is working to mobilize additional domestic resources. He stressed that the government is strengthening systems linking public expenditure to measurable nutrition outcomes through scorecards and stronger domestic financing.
Shettima and Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Temesgen Tiruneh, held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the forum, reviewing relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia and exploring opportunities for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, food security, aviation, and security. Tiruneh conveyed Ethiopia's condolences to Nigeria over the recent Ondo air crash and commended growing private-sector cooperation.
The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Ethiopia, saying both countries have a responsibility to leverage their population, resources, and strategic positions for Africa's development. He commended Ethiopia's progress in agriculture and domestic value addition, while stressing the need for stronger intra-African investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Key points
- Nigeria's $26m commitment unlocks $52m Child Nutrition Fund.
- 21 states contribute $6.3m to combat malnutrition.
- Nigeria aims to reduce stunting rate to 25% by 2035.
