VP Shettima Orders New Nutrition Financing Framework to Tackle Nigeria’s Malnutrition Crisis

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the creation of a Nutrition Financing Subcommittee and a new sustainable funding framework for Nigeria’s nutrition programmes, in a bid to close persistent gaps between budgetary allocations and measurable outcomes in the fight against malnutrition. Dr. Shettima announced the development on 5 March 2026 during a virtual meeting of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) chaired from Abuja, emphasizing that financing must be predictable, ring‑fenced and effectively tracked to ensure results for citizens.

The subcommittee, which will be chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and include ministers from key sectors such as Education, Women Affairs and Water Resources, is expected to produce a comprehensive roadmap within 30 days for presenting to the NCN and the National Economic Council for endorsement and implementation.

Shettima stressed that past nutrition commitments have often faltered due to insufficient budget releases, weak accountability and lack of financing continuity, and underscored the urgent need for the National Nutrition Bill to be expedited by lawmakers to strengthen institutional support and legal backing for nutrition funding.

The Vice President also called on development partners and private sector stakeholders (including foundations like the Aliko Dangote Foundation) to participate in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s nutrition financing ecosystem, ensure predictable resources at all levels of government, and support community‑driven nutrition outcomes.

Analysts say this initiative could significantly improve accountability in nutrition spending and facilitate better food security, especially for vulnerable groups, if robust monitoring and multi‑sectoral collaboration are maintained.