A Communique issued At The End of A 2-Day Training Workshop For The Executive Council Of The Nutrition Society Of Nigeria

Abiola DennisJanuary 30, 2025

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The Executive Council of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN)participated in a Two-Day Capacity-Strengthening Workshop organised by the development Research and Projects Centre(dRPC)on Monday, January 27^th, and Tuesday, January 28^th, 2025.

The dRPC brought together a training team of subject experts on CSO organizational and technical capacity strengthening to step-down the expertise gained over 9-years of training and mentoring under the Partnership for Advancing Child and Family Health (PAS) Program, 2015-2023. The PAS program was implemented by the dRPC and was supported by the Gates Foundation. The training team of EDs; Program and Finance Managers of PAS supported Health Professional Associations, took the NSN EXCO through various topics, including:- Strategic Planning; Branding and Marketing; Analysis of the Proposed 2025 Budget and role of Professional Associations as Advocates; Mainstreaming Gender in Nutrition; and CAC Compliance, Accountability, Fiduciary Responsibility and Financial Leadership.

A keyhighlight of the workshop was the analysis of the proposed 2025 annual budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its implications for Nutrition.

The Society commends the Federal Government of Nigeria for prioritising Nutrition in national development, as reflected in the 2025 budget. The Society notes that about 170.01 billion naira was allocated to nutrition-related activities across different MDAs, an increase of 33.6% from the 2024 budgetary allocation. However, the proposed budgetary allocations to some activities were grossly inadequate. These activities include Research and Development, Capacity Building and Training, monitoring, Evaluation, and Supervision, among others.

The Society observed with concern the increasing prevalence of malnutrition indices in Nigeria as reported in the 2023 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey. For example, the nutritional status of children under age five has not improved in the past 5 years. In 2018, 37% of children under age 5 were stunted, 7% were wasted, and 22% were underweight, as compared to 40%, 8% and 27% in 2024,respectively. Considering the Federal Government’s commitment to the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPAFN), activities and interventions aimed at meeting the Federal Government’s target in the NMPAFN framework must be given adequate budgetary provision.

The Nutrition Society of Nigeria believes that the proposed budget if approved and implemented, would be a good step in the right direction towards addressing the issues of malnutrition in Nigeria. The Society is praying that there will be a prompt and timely release of funds to the implementing MDAs. Also, the Federal Government, in collaboration with relevant Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders,should take steps to closely monitor the implementation of the budget as it affects nutrition activities. The House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security should oversee all nutrition activities effectively.

The NSN affirms its commitment and availability to partner with relevant MDAs and other stakeholdersto ensurethe effective implementation of the 2025 Nutrition budget.

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