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Nigeria Records Over $1.5bn Annual Loss to Malnutrition,Says FG

The Federal Government has raised the alarm over the heavy toll of malnutrition on Nigeria’s economy and human capital, disclosing that the country loses more than $1.5 billion every year to the crisis.

Officials described the situation as a national emergency, warning that the scale of the losses threatens both development and future growth.
Government reports indicate that malnutrition not only weakens public health but also erodes the nation’s productivity and educational outcomes.

Experts explained that children who suffer from stunted growth and nutrient deficiencies often struggle academically, leading to lower earning potential in adulthood.

This cycle, they said, traps families in poverty and undermines the country’s long-term economic stability.
The revelation comes at a time when food insecurity in Nigeria is on the rise. Humanitarian assessments show that more than 31 million Nigerians are at risk of acute hunger, especially in the northern regions where conflict, poverty, and displacement have worsened conditions.

Flooding, soaring inflation, and reduced farm yields have also made access to nutritious food more difficult for millions of households.

In response, the Federal Government has pledged to scale up interventions to tackle the crisis. Plans include expanding community-based treatment of acute malnutrition, promoting child feeding practices and breastfeeding, and boosting food fortification initiatives.

Authorities also intend to integrate nutrition targets into agriculture, education, and poverty-reduction policies to ensure a coordinated national response.

Civil society organisations and international development partners have urged the government to act with urgency, warning that limited funding, insecurity, and weak coordination across federal and state levels could undermine progress.

They emphasised that investing in nutrition is one of the most cost-effective strategies to save lives, improve productivity, and reverse the billions of dollars lost annually.

Analysts stressed that the impact of malnutrition is both a humanitarian crisis and an economic setback. They argue that without decisive and sustained intervention, Nigeria risks losing a generation of children to poor health and low educational attainment.

The Federal Government’s warning is seen as a call to action for policymakers, state governments, and donors to increase investment and deliver immediate solutions to end the scourge.

khadijat opeyemi

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