Shettima Tasks Local Government Chairmen to Drive Nationwide Nutrition Campaign

By Benson Daniel

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on local government chairmen across Nigeria to take a leading role in implementing the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 initiative, stressing that grassroots participation is essential to tackling malnutrition and improving the health of millions of Nigerians.

The Vice President said local governments occupy a strategic position in delivering nutrition interventions directly to communities, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. He urged council chairmen to prioritise nutrition programmes as part of their development agenda and ensure that government policies translate into measurable improvements in public health.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Shettima noted that Nutrition 774 is designed to coordinate nutrition efforts across all 774 local government areas, with the objective of reducing malnutrition, improving food security and enhancing the overall well being of citizens through community based interventions.

He emphasised that addressing malnutrition requires collaboration among federal, state and local governments, as well as development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector. According to him, stronger coordination will help ensure that nutrition services reach underserved communities and contribute to improved maternal and child health outcomes.

The Vice President also highlighted the economic importance of investing in nutrition, noting that healthier populations are more productive and better positioned to contribute to national development. He described improved nutrition as a key pillar of the Federal Government’s broader agenda for human capital development and sustainable economic growth.

Stakeholders at the event urged local government authorities to strengthen awareness campaigns on healthy feeding practices, promote exclusive breastfeeding, improve access to essential healthcare services and support agricultural initiatives that increase the availability of nutritious food at the community level.

Health and development experts welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s persistent nutrition challenges through a decentralised approach that empowers local authorities to lead implementation. They stressed that consistent funding, effective monitoring and strong community participation would be essential to achieving the programme’s objectives.

The Federal Government expressed confidence that the active involvement of all 774 local government councils would accelerate progress in reducing malnutrition, improving child survival rates and building healthier communities across the country.