Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, has highlighted the significance of nutrition in human capital development, stating that it is crucial for children to realize their full potential. As a medical doctor, Dr. Balarabe made these remarks at the Women In Power Conference 2026, where she was formally recognized as a Kaduna State Nutrition Champion. Her emphasis on nutrition underscores the importance of a well-nourished population in driving growth and development.
According to Dr. Balarabe, a well-nourished child has a better opportunity to grow, learn, and survive. She stressed that investing in nutrition is not only an investment in health but also in the future of the state and country. This perspective aligns with Governor Uba Sani's administration, which places nutrition as a vital component of its development agenda. By prioritizing nutrition, the administration aims to create a healthier and more productive population.
Dr. Balarabe assured that Kaduna State, under Governor Uba Sani's leadership, will continue to provide leadership in nutrition financing and related health activities. She cited recent achievements, including an 82 percent Vitamin A supplementation coverage and 79 percent coverage for Mid-Upper Arm Circumference screening during the June 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week. These accomplishments demonstrate the state's commitment to improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
In 2025, Kaduna State treated 30,089 children across 23 Local Government Areas for severe acute malnutrition through the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition program. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address malnutrition and its effects on the state's population. By working together with government, communities, development partners, health workers, and civil society, Kaduna State aims to make significant strides in reducing malnutrition.
Dr. Balarabe advised states to prioritize nutrition financing, emphasizing that good policies require predictable resources, effective implementation, accountability, and measurable outcomes to produce results. She highlighted the new Kaduna State 2026–2030 Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan as an opportunity to consolidate gains, strengthen coordination, and ensure that nutrition remains integrated into government planning, budgeting, and implementation.
The Deputy Governor expressed gratitude to the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission and the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) for being recognized as Kaduna State Nutrition Champions. She emphasized that this recognition serves as a call to service, reminding leaders that their impact is measured by the lives they touch, not by their titles.
The recognition of Kaduna State's efforts in nutrition financing and related health activities underscores the state's commitment to improving the health and well-being of its citizens. As Dr. Balarabe noted, leadership is not about personal achievements but about the positive impact on the lives of others. By prioritizing nutrition, Kaduna State aims to create a healthier and more productive population, driving growth and development in the state.
Key points
- Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, emphasizes the importance of nutrition in human capital development.
- The state has made significant strides in reducing malnutrition, including treating 30,089 children for severe acute malnutrition in 2025.
- Dr. Balarabe advises states to prioritize nutrition financing to produce results from good policies.
