Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, a medical doctor, has highlighted the significance of nutrition in making children realise their full potentials. She made these remarks at the Women In Power Conference 2026 and formal recognition as a Kaduna State Nutrition Champion. According to her, a well-nourished child has a better opportunity to grow, learn, and survive.
Deputy Governor Balarabe further emphasized that investing in nutrition is not only an investment in health but also in the future of Kaduna State and Nigeria. She assured that the state, under Governor Uba Sani, will continue to provide leadership in nutrition financing and related health activities. This commitment is reflected in the state's recent achievements, including an 82 per cent Vitamin A supplementation coverage and 79 per cent coverage for Mid-Upper Arm Circumference screening during the June 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.
In 2025, Kaduna State treated 30,089 children across the 23 Local Government Areas for severe acute malnutrition through the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition programme. These achievements demonstrate the impact of collaboration between the government, communities, development partners, health workers, and civil society. Deputy Governor Balarabe attributed the success to the collective efforts of these stakeholders.
The Deputy Governor advised states to prioritize nutrition financing, stressing that good policies require predictable resources, effective implementation, accountability, and measurable outcomes to produce results. She also highlighted the new Kaduna State 2026–2030 Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan, which aims to consolidate gains, strengthen coordination, and integrate nutrition into government planning, budgeting, and implementation.
Deputy Governor Balarabe appreciated 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 received the recognition with gratitude, viewing it as a call to service and a reminder that leadership is measured by the lives touched, not by titles.
Governor Uba Sani's administration places nutrition as an important component of its development agenda. The Deputy Governor's recognition as a Nutrition Champion underscores the state's commitment to prioritizing nutrition and its role in human capital development. This focus on nutrition is expected to have a positive impact on the well-being and potential of children in Kaduna State.
The emphasis on nutrition financing and coordination is crucial for achieving sustainable progress in human capital development. By prioritizing nutrition and collaborating with stakeholders, Kaduna State aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of its citizens, particularly children, and contribute to the country's overall development.
Key points
- Kaduna State Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe emphasizes the importance of nutrition in human capital development.
- The state has made significant achievements in nutrition, including high Vitamin A supplementation coverage and treatment of severe acute malnutrition.
- Deputy Governor Balarabe advises states to prioritize nutrition financing for sustainable progress in human capital development.
