By Ibrahim Muhammad
The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have jointly called for the timely release of malnutrition intervention funds and the implementation of a six-month maternity leave policy for lactating mothers in Jigawa State.
The call was made by Ambassador Ibrahim Tudu, Team Lead of CS-SUNN Abuja, during an advocacy visit to the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency at the state secretariat in Dutse.
Amb. Tudu explained that the visit was aimed at seeking the agency’s support in ensuring the timely release of the nutrition budget and the extension of maternity leave from the current three months to six months for nursing mothers.
“Malnutrition has a significant impact on the lives of children and the nation as a whole. There is a need for collective efforts to combat this issue,” he said.
According to him, “Jigawa State faces one of the most severe nutrition crises in Nigeria, threatening its human capital and long-term economic development. Although there has been some progress — with a 9% decrease in stunting rates, from 64% to 55.7% — more collaboration is needed to further reduce the menace and protect the future of our children.”
In response, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Shehu Sambo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to combating malnutrition.
“Jigawa State has always been proactive in addressing nutrition issues. This advocacy visit will further strengthen the government’s resolve and actions in this critical area,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of CS-SUNN in Jigawa State, Comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafin-Gana, highlighted the importance of increasing maternity leave to six months and ensuring both budgetary increments and timely releases for nutrition programs.
He commended the Jigawa State House of Assembly for approving ₦300 million for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
However, he advised that the funds should no longer be remitted to the State Ministry of Health for direct purchases.
“Instead,” he said, “the entire ₦300 million from the House of Assembly and the ₦250 million from the state executive should be combined and directly remitted to UNICEF. This will leverage counterpart funding and ensure prompt delivery of RUTF.”
He explained that when the combined ₦550 million is remitted to UNICEF, it could yield RUTF supplies worth up to ₦1.1 billion a significant boost in addressing child malnutrition in the state.
Comrade Kafin-Gana emphasized that such a move would substantially reduce the number of malnourished children across Jigawa State and improve health outcomes.
