Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially unveiled the framework for the federal government’s “Nutrition 774 Initiative,” a comprehensive nationwide programme aimed at combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria. The initiative targets all 774 local government areas (LGAs) and seeks to improve nutritional outcomes across the country.
Speaking on Tuesday at a roundtable with development partners at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, VP Shettima emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader focus on food security and nutrition, highlighting the administration’s commitment to ensuring all Nigerians have access to a healthy diet.
“The priority with which His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has pursued food availability has gone hand-in-hand with our commitment to eradicating malnutrition. We cannot claim victory unless each household across Nigeria has access to the prescribed diets essential for a healthy life,” Shettima stated.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative was endorsed during the 144th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in September, which recognized it as a key platform for addressing malnutrition, especially in vulnerable communities. The initiative adopts a grassroots-driven approach, empowering local actors and health workers to drive nutritional improvements within their communities.
During the roundtable, VP Shettima called on development partners to support the initiative both financially and technically, stressing the importance of collaboration in addressing the country’s nutritional challenges. “This initiative must be owned by our development partners just as much as it is by the government. We are all stakeholders in the emergence of a healthy, stable Nigeria,” he said.
Shettima also acknowledged the effects of recent floods and global inflationary pressures on food security, calling for innovative solutions to directly address these challenges. “Every Naira invested in the nourishment of our people yields returns many times over—not just in the health of our people, but in the security and future of our nation,” he added.
The Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasized the cross-sectoral approach of the initiative, noting the involvement of various sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Water and Sanitation, and Social Protection. He praised the leadership of VP Shettima in bringing all stakeholders together to address malnutrition systemically.
Representatives from development partners, including the African Development Bank, World Bank, USAID, and others, pledged their support for the programme. They commended the federal government’s initiative and reiterated their commitment to scaling up nutrition efforts across the country, with emphasis on health infrastructure and technical support.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative marks a significant step in the federal government’s efforts to combat malnutrition and ensure food security for all Nigerians.
