Nigeria adopts new nutrition policy

The National Council on Nutrition in Abuja adopted the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (NPFN) 2026–2036, endorsing a decade-long, multisectoral framework aimed at tackling malnutrition, boosting local food production, and strengthening food systems nationwide. The policy was approved at the council’s 15th meeting, held virtually and chaired by the Vice‑President, and follows extensive stakeholder ratification from public and private actors across Nigeria’s nutrition sector. The council directed the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to present the policy to the Federal Executive Council for final ratification.

Vice‑President Kashim Shettima characterized the NPFN 2026–2036 as the most consequential nutrition policy the country has produced, stressing its grassroots orientation and cross‑sector ownership: it is meant to belong to every ministry, state, local government, ward and household. He urged council members to focus on delivery rather than deliberation, warning that policy success will be judged by improvements in the lives of mothers and children across all 774 local government areas by 2036. The council ordered nutrition‑relevant ministries, departments and agencies to align sectoral policies, plans and budgets with the NPFN within 12 months, and instructed the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to operationalize State Multisectoral Plans of Action for Food and Nutrition within six to nine months.

The council also extended the deadline for submitting a draft National Nutrition Bill by six weeks but reaffirmed that the bill must be transmitted to the National Assembly within eight weeks. An ad hoc committee drafting the bill was commended, and the council approved adding the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the Commissioners of Finance Forum, and ALGON to the sub‑committee. Officials highlighted five financing streams identified by the sub‑committee—domestic, bilateral, multilateral, private sector, and innovative financing—and said the sub‑committee will coordinate closely with the Nutrition 774 Strategic Board to avoid duplication and reinforce joint action.

The policy’s objectives include reducing child malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, increasing support for farmers through improved inputs and market access, cutting post‑harvest losses, and enhancing resilience to climate shocks. Once ratified by the Federal Executive Council, the NPFN is expected to guide national development planning and attract support from international partners, reflecting growing recognition of the links between food security, economic stability and public health in Nigeria.