Source: TheCable
In a strategic effort to address Nigeria’s urgent malnutrition crisis, the World Bank has approved $50 million through its Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project 2.0. This funding, designed to enhance nutrition outcomes nationwide, was announced at a recent meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima. World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop highlighted the critical need for this support, noting that it falls under the bank’s crisis response funding framework.
At the meeting, Trina Haque, the World Bank’s Health, Nutrition, and Population Practice Manager, underscored the importance of nutrition education for children and adolescents as a foundation for early development and long-term health.
Vice President Shettima introduced Nigeria’s ambitious N-774 Initiative, aimed at transforming nutrition outcomes across all 774 local government areas (LGAs) using a community-centered, locally driven strategy. Describing the initiative as a significant advancement in the nation’s fight against malnutrition, Shettima noted it builds on the successes of the ANRiN project, which is now reaching its final phase.
“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, we are pioneering a transformative approach to nutrition programs with the N-774 Initiative, committing to sustainable, locally managed solutions to malnutrition,” Shettima said. He explained that the N-774 Initiative is a community-focused model tailored to meet the distinct needs of each LGA, bringing nutrition support directly to communities for a lasting impact.
The Vice President further emphasized that Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis demands a uniquely Nigerian response, and President Tinubu is deeply committed to advancing this initiative. By integrating nutrition goals across sectors such as education, agriculture, health, and social protection, the N-774 Initiative prioritizes local ownership and resilience.
Shettima expressed optimism about the initiative’s impact, noting that political commitment, collaboration between federal and local authorities, and partnerships with international organizations are critical to achieving meaningful, swift results. “With the Renewed Hope Administration, we are implementing a fresh, innovative approach to nutrition that we believe will improve health outcomes across communities nationwide,” he concluded.
