Nigerian Education Minister Advocates for Nutrition Initiatives

Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, called for a stronger role for the education sector in addressing child malnutrition during a session at the Ethiopia–Nigeria Leadership Exchange on Moving the Needle on Nutrition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He identified school feeding, school health, nutrition education, and improved access to quality education as essential components of the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative.

Alausa stressed the need for coordinated action across various sectors, including education, health, and agriculture, to effectively combat malnutrition. He highlighted that the initiative aims to translate Nigeria’s national nutrition priorities into actionable interventions across the country’s 774 local government areas.

The Minister proposed that the Federal Ministry of Education's contributions would include school feeding programs and nutrition education integrated into the revised school curriculum. He emphasized the interconnectedness of nutrition, health, and children's overall development, advocating for supportive school environments to enhance health and educational outcomes.