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Food supply

Nigeria Ranked Second Most Malnourished Country, Worst in Africa

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Nigeria has been confronted with the devastating realities of malnutrition, with Uju Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, revealing that the country is the second most malnourished worldwide and the worst in Africa. This alarming situation was discussed at the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security, where speakers highlighted the economic and health implications of malnutrition. The Chairman of the House Committee on Food and Nutrition, Hon. Chike Okafor, emphasized the significant losses due to malnutrition, including a staggering 12.2 percent loss in the country's Gross National Income and an estimated $2 billion in post-harvest losses annually.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nigeria has been ranked as the second most malnourished country in the world and the worst in Africa, according to Uju Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health.
  • The country has signed onto the N-774 initiative to tackle malnutrition from the grassroots, receiving endorsement from the Nigerian Governors' Forum and the National Council on Food Security.
  • Malnutrition in Nigeria has significant health implications, including stunting, anaemia in women and children, and low birth weight, in addition to the devastating economic consequences.
  • Nigeria loses approximately $1.5 billion annually due to malnutrition, with poor nutrition responsible for a staggering 12.2 percent loss in the country's Gross National Income, translating to about $56 billion.
  • Food insecurity is further compounded by post-harvest losses, estimated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to cost Nigeria about $2 billion each year.
  • The House Committee on Food and Nutrition is collaborating with stakeholders across the 36 states to initiate new approaches to combat malnutrition, including strategic capacity-building sessions.
  • Improved knowledge and oversight are aimed at delivering measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians, rather than just increasing funding for nutrition.

Statistics:

  • Nigeria is the second most malnourished country in the world and the worst in Africa (Uju Anwukah).
  • The country loses approximately $1.5 billion annually due to malnutrition (Hon. Chike Okafor).
  • Poor nutrition is responsible for a staggering 12.2 percent loss in Nigeria's Gross National Income, translating to about $56 billion (Hon. Chike Okafor).
  • Food insecurity is further compounded by post-harvest losses, estimated by the FAO to cost Nigeria about $2 billion each year (Hon. Chike Okafor).
  • The N-774 initiative has received endorsement from both the Nigerian Governors' Forum and the National Council on Food Security.

Sources:

  • Uju Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health
  • Hon. Chike Okafor, Chairman of the House Committee on Food and Nutrition
  • Nutrition International
  • World Bank
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

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