The Federal Government has raised alarm that Nigeria is grappling with a “triple burden” of malnutrition — undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies known as hidden hunger.
Findings from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey revealed that 79 per cent of Nigerians are food insecure, while micronutrient inadequacy among key population groups remains very high.
It further showed that 50.4 per cent of households consume unbranded vegetable oil, despite the policy of Vitamin A fortification since 2002.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, disclosed this at the Nigeria Health Watch Roundtable themed “Fortifying Nigeria’s Future: Strengthening Nutrition through Local Solutions.”
Kachollom warned that malnutrition continues to erode the nation’s health, productivity, and economic potential, particularly for women and children.
She added that according to the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 40 per cent of children are stunted, 8 per cent wasted, and 27 per cent underweight.
Despite challenges, Nigeria has achieved 95 per cent salt iodisation and significant fortification of wheat flour, sugar, and vegetable oil, but the food security crisis has been worsened by high inflation, flooding, and conflict disrupting agriculture and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, a pro-democracy group, Turn by Turn Initiatives (TBTI), has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently review his economic policies.
Its National Convener, Ben Nworie, faulted the fuel subsidy removal as “reckless and hasty,” saying it worsened hardship without effective safety nets.
He described Tinubu’s recent remarks asking citizens to question governors over increased allocations as “inciting” and warned it could fuel youth restiveness similar to the #EndSARS protests.
The group further rejected proposed salary increments for political office holders, insisting that resources should be channelled into reviving moribund industries, creating jobs, and reducing poverty.