UNICEF Launches Youth Nutrition Challenge in Borno State

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Borno State Government, initiated the "Youth-led Nutrition Challenge" in Maiduguri. This project aims to create locally made food nutrition solutions for pregnant women and children, focusing on protecting children from acute malnutrition during their first 1,000 days of life.

Tarek Akkad, UNICEF Chief of Borno field office, stated that the challenge will involve young people designing affordable meal plans using local foods for vulnerable families. The entries will be pitched to professionals who will select the most nutritious and realistic plans.

This challenge targets women and children in Jere and Maiduguri Metropolitan council as part of its first phase, with plans to expand to more local governments later. Aminu Usman, UNICEF's Nutrition Specialist, emphasized leveraging youth creativity to spread malnutrition prevention messages in communities.

The project is supported by funding from the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.