Shettima Addresses Child Stunting Crisis in Nigeria

Vice President Kashim Shettima stated that 40 percent of Nigerian children under five are stunted, a figure presented at the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange. This alarming statistic indicates that two in every five children are growing into adults with compromised physical and cognitive development, costing the economy an estimated $56 billion annually.

In response, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, represented by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, has committed to declaring nutrition a national emergency, establishing a National Nutrition Intervention Fund, and adopting a unified approach with “One Goal, One Plan and One Budget.” The Federal Government will initiate targeted interventions in two states with high stunting rates before expanding the program. The commitments build on a Nutrition Compact signed on February 20, 2025, and aim to reduce stunting to 32 percent by 2029.

The Vice President also noted that Nigeria’s $26 million commitment to the Child Nutrition Fund has attracted additional support, highlighting the need for transparency in budget allocations for nutrition.