In a decisive move to address the growing crisis of malnutrition across Nigeria, the Federal Government has inaugurated the Strategic Board of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a key national intervention aimed at delivering food and nutrition security in all 774 local government areas.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led the inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, describing the board as a critical tool in confronting what he called a “silent but deadly emergency” that threatens national development and the well-being of millions.
Positioning the board as a proactive national response, Shettima emphasized that its role goes beyond that of a ceremonial body, likening it instead to a “war room” tasked with combating malnutrition at the grassroots.
He stressed the urgency of the task, calling on stakeholders at all levels — especially state governors and local government chairmen — to take ownership of implementation efforts.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative is a flagship programme of the Tinubu administration designed to streamline fragmented nutrition interventions and create a unified national framework.
The Vice President warned that a malnourished population directly impacts productivity and economic progress, making the initiative vital for Nigeria’s human capital development.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, lauded the Vice President’s leadership, attributing his passion for the project to personal experiences and an in-depth understanding of conflict and recovery in vulnerable regions such as Borno State.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, drew attention to the direct connection between malnutrition and poverty, particularly in conflict-affected households led by children and widows. She advocated for integrating women’s economic empowerment into the broader strategy.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, affirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting the programme through legislative backing and resource allocation.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Anwuka, linked the initiative to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing its focus on human capital investment, health equity, hunger reduction, and poverty alleviation.
She highlighted the need for coordinated leadership, policy support, and grassroots engagement to ensure the programme’s success.
The launch of the Strategic Board signals a renewed national effort to tackle malnutrition head-on and underscores the government’s resolve to build a healthier, more productive population through community-based and results-driven action.
