The Kano State Government has released ₦500 million in counterpart funding under the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), approving over 637 million Naira.
The fund which is a critical step towards scaling up sustainable financing, programs, and supplies to combat malnutrition in the state is designed to support countries with high rates of child malnutrition. It matches government investments to accelerate the prevention, detection, and treatment of manifestations of malnutrition.
Kano State exposes Nigeria’s national malnutrition challenges, with 51.9% of children under five stunted, 38.4% underweight, and 10.4% suffering from wasting,
According to the 2023-24 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS). The alarming figures represent lives affected by malnutrition and its related conditions that hinder growth, weaken immunity, and reduce productivity later in adulthood.
Through CNF- the benefit is that the state can increase its stock of essential nutrition commodities like Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), Micronutrient Powder (MNP), Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) and others required to treat, manage and prevent malnutrition by 100%.
In a statement, the Executive Secretary CS-SUNN Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo said efforts by CS-SUNN in collaboration with Alive & Thrive, UNICEF, and others played a role, engaging key government officials, including the Kano State Head of Service and the Commissioner for Health to achieve the feat.
They emphasized the need for States to support in establishment of Nutrition Departments across relevant MDAs, extending paid maternity leave from three to six months, and timely approval and release of the CNF.
“Media roundtables amplified these efforts, increasing visibility and galvanizing support for the approval and release of the CNF and other nutrition interventions. Advocacy visits to traditional leaders, including the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Sanusi II further underscored the need for action “.
CS-SUNN Executive Secretary, Mr. Okoronkwo led a delegation of nutrition partners to key State players in Kano State and noted that, with over 50% of children stunted (from the recent 2023/24 National Health Demographic Survey (NDHS), Kano is home to 3.4 million children under five, of whom 350,000 are wasted, adding that, ” Alarmingly, one in every two women in the state suffers from anemia”.
Mr. Okoronkwo however commended the state government for its efforts in addressing malnutrition but emphasized the need for increased and timely release of funds to effectively tackle the growing burden of malnutrition and support the implementation of the state Food and Nutrition Strategy.
The team requested the Emir leverage his influence, to unlock critical funding and catalyze action from key decision-makers for improved nutrition, including the release of the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF).
In his response, the Emir of Kano State, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Sanusi II. emphasized the importance of prioritizing nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
” Efforts are falling short at the most vital stages—before conception, at birth, and during breastfeeding” and highlighted the need for focused action in these phases “.
Drawing from his experience as the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Emir recounted his advocacy for six months of maternity leave to support exclusive breastfeeding.
While deemed too expensive at the time, he reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic proved that flexible work arrangements were more cost-effective even at the highest levels.
The Emir demonstrated deep concern for the well-being of women and children in Kano, emphasizing his commitment to contribute to tackling the state’s malnutrition crisis.
As the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and the Nutrition Council, ” He promised to advocate to key stakeholders—Commissioners of Finance, Budget, Health, and the Secretary to the Kano State Government—urging them to prioritize nutrition “.
As a custodian of his people, the Emir underscored the urgency of addressing malnutrition, describing it as ” a moral duty to safeguard the future of Kano children and empower women to thrive “.
With coordinated efforts across sectors and the continued leadership of key stakeholders, Kano has an opportunity to transform its nutrition landscape.
Aligning traditional authority with government action ensures a collaborative approach to breaking the cycle of malnutrition and giving every child a chance to thrive.
According to the statement, the approval and release of the CNF counterpart fund signals a new chapter of hope and progress for Kano’s children.