From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the governments of Bauchi and Plateau States to intensify efforts in tackling child malnutrition by releasing more funds for nutrition, investing in local food solutions, and expanding community-driven initiatives already saving lives.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, made the call in a press release issued Thursday following her visits to both states, where she met with government officials, traditional rulers, mothers, fathers, and children to discuss collective action for child survival and wellbeing.
“If governments, communities, and partners come together for children and act with urgency and unity, we can give every child in Nigeria the chance not just to survive, but to truly thrive,” she said.
During her visit to Plateau, Ms. Saeed commended the state government’s commitment to children through its investment in the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF).
She announced the handover of more than 5,300 cartons of nutrition supplements, expected to reach 15,000 children in the state.
However, she stressed the need for greater urgency, noting that nearly half of children under five are stunted.
She added that sustained action is needed now. States must release pledged funds quickly and invest in locally available, nutritious foods so that children can grow strong and healthy.
In Bauchi, Ms. Saeed met with Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who highlighted the state’s efforts to strengthen healthcare, from upgrading newborn care units to renovating primary health centres and scaling up education investments.
She also witnessed community initiatives making an impact, “I also saw how community groups are changing lives, fathers riding bicycles to spread health messages, mothers gathering in Mama2Mama groups to support one another, and traditional leaders taking charge to improve the health and wellbeing of children,” she added.
“The passion and commitment of these groups, especially the women, left me deeply inspired,” she noted.
At a nutrition facility in Bauchi, Ms. Saeed met children battling severe acute malnutrition, “Holding their tiny hands and seeing the pain in their eyes was a stark reminder that behind every statistic is a child, a mother’s hope, and a father’s dream. No child should suffer this way. Their survival depends on the choices and actions we take now, not tomorrow,” she said.
She commended Bauchi State’s recent release of N300 million to the CNF, which UNICEF will match, effectively doubling the impact and enabling more children to access lifesaving nutrition interventions.
