Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has launched the framework for the federal government’s ambitious “Nutrition 774 Initiative,” a nationwide program aimed at addressing malnutrition and food insecurity across all 774 local government areas (LGAs) of the country.
Speaking at a roundtable with development partners on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, VP Shettima emphasized that the initiative is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader vision of ensuring food security and promoting a healthy populace.
The “Nutrition 774 Initiative” is designed to tackle one of Nigeria’s most pressing health challenges by improving nutritional outcomes for millions of Nigerians.
The nationwide program will focus on delivering nutritional interventions at the grassroots level, involving local communities in efforts to ensure that households across the country have access to essential diets that promote healthy living.
VP Shettima reiterated the importance of addressing malnutrition holistically, noting that food security extends beyond having abundant food in storage.
His words: “Our aspiration as a nation goes beyond the mere abundance of food in our barns and warehouses.
“We cannot claim victory unless there is certainty that each household across Nigeria has access to the preferred and prescribed diets essential for a healthy life.”
The Nutrition 774 Initiative, endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 144th meeting in September 2024, is part of Nigeria’s comprehensive strategy to combat malnutrition.
It focuses on ensuring that food availability aligns with nutritional adequacy in every region of the country.
VP Shettima called upon development partners to join hands with the government, recognizing that collaboration is key to successfully addressing the complex issue of malnutrition.
“This initiative must be owned by our development partners just as much as it is by the government,” the Vice President stated, emphasizing that the effort requires a collective push to ensure sustainable outcomes.
He reiterated that Nigeria’s future hinges on creating a healthy, stable society, which is intrinsically linked to improving the population’s nutritional status.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative is designed to be grassroots-driven, empowering local communities to take ownership of their nutritional challenges.
The program will train local health workers and community leaders to manage and improve nutritional outcomes within their respective areas, thereby creating a localized yet far-reaching impact.
“The Nutrition 774 Initiative is an assurance to all Nigerians—young and old, single and married, from North to South.
“It assures us that balancing the diets of our nation is not just an aspiration but a mission we must pursue with purpose and passion,” Shettima said.
Nigeria, like many other nations, faces growing challenges related to food security, compounded by climate-related disasters such as floods and global economic pressures like inflation.
The issues have made it harder for many Nigerians to access affordable, nutritious food.
VP Shettima acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence that the Nutrition 774 Initiative would provide innovative solutions tailored to the local context.
“Our response must not only be innovative, but it must also address these challenges directly.
“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 stated.
A critical component of the Nutrition 774 Initiative is its monitoring and evaluation framework, designed to ensure accountability and track the success of the program at the local level.
