The Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) has called for increased investment in nutrition, warning that inadequate access to nutritious food could continue to undermine Nigeria’s economic productivity and human capital development.
The society said nutrition should be treated not only as a public health concern but also as an important investment in the country’s economic future.
It stressed that people who have adequate nutrition are better positioned to learn, work and contribute effectively to economic activity, while poor nutrition can increase vulnerability to disease, reduce educational outcomes and limit productivity.
The call comes amid continuing concerns over malnutrition in Nigeria, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups. Available national data show that malnutrition remains a significant development challenge, with stunting, wasting and underweight affecting millions of Nigerian children.
The NSN therefore urged stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders to improve access to healthy and affordable diets across the country.
Beyond immediate health outcomes, the society said investment in nutrition could deliver long-term economic benefits by helping Nigerians maintain healthier and more productive lives.
Poor nutrition can have consequences that extend well beyond childhood. Children affected by malnutrition may experience impaired physical and cognitive development, which can affect their educational attainment and future earning potential. At the national level, these effects can translate into lower productivity and increased pressure on health and social services.
The World Bank has similarly identified malnutrition as an obstacle to human capital development and economic productivity. Its global nutrition investment framework estimates that scaling up high-impact nutrition interventions could generate substantial economic benefits, with an estimated $23 return for every $1 invested in addressing undernutrition.
For Nigeria, nutrition investment also has implications for poverty reduction and workforce development. Improving nutrition among children, pregnant women and other vulnerable populations can help strengthen the foundation for a healthier workforce over the long term.
The NSN’s position also reinforces the need for nutrition to be incorporated into broader development planning rather than treated as an issue limited to the health sector.
Government programmes addressing food security, agriculture, education, social protection and healthcare can all contribute to better nutrition outcomes when properly coordinated.
Nigeria has previously acknowledged the economic and social consequences of malnutrition. In 2025, the Federal Government described malnutrition as a crisis threatening both national security and economic productivity and called for a multisectoral approach to tackling the problem.
The NSN’s latest call therefore places nutrition within a wider economic development discussion, highlighting the potential cost of failing to address inadequate diets and the potential gains from sustained investment.
With food affordability remaining a concern for many households, improving access to nutritious food will require not only health interventions but also stronger food systems, effective social protection and policies that make healthy diets more accessible.
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