Beyond Healthcare: Akwa Ibom Sets Up 31 Committees To Tackle Childhood Malnutrition
By OFFIONG ARCHIBONG
NEARLY one in four children under five in Akwa Ibom State suffers from stunted growth, according to the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The survey puts the state’s stunting rate at 24.1 per cent, highlighting the challenge of chronic childhood malnutrition.
In response, the state government has inaugurated Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition across all 31 local government areas. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination and bring nutrition interventions closer to vulnerable communities.
The inauguration took place in Uyo on Tuesday. The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning organised the event in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to the survey, the national stunting rate stands at 40 per cent. Although Akwa Ibom’s reported rate is lower, the figures still point to a substantial number of children facing potential long-term health and developmental challenges.
Stunting occurs when prolonged undernutrition prevents children from achieving the expected height for their age. Beyond physical growth, the condition can affect brain development, learning ability and future productivity.
UNICEF nutrition specialist Oluniyi Oyedokun said the state needed coordinated action to address the underlying causes of malnutrition. He stressed that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from conception until the second birthday, are particularly important for healthy growth and brain development.
During this period, inadequate nutrition can have lasting consequences. Consequently, Oyedokun warned that affected children face greater risks of cognitive difficulties, poor school performance, recurrent illnesses and reduced productivity in adulthood.
He explained that the new committees would help strengthen implementation of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition. However, he emphasised that tackling malnutrition requires more than healthcare services alone.
Instead, he called for collaboration among the health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation sectors. Such coordination, he noted, is essential to address the interconnected factors that contribute to poor nutrition.
Meanwhile, the state government said the committees would coordinate, monitor and implement nutrition programmes within their respective local government areas. Their responsibilities are also expected to include improving cooperation among government agencies and other stakeholders.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Nsikan Nkan said the inauguration of the 217-member committees aligned with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda. The agenda, he explained, prioritises human capital development and the promotion of a healthy, productive population.
Ultimately, the initiative’s impact will depend on effective implementation, sustained funding and measurable improvements in children’s nutritional outcomes. While establishing committees creates a coordination structure, reducing stunting will require consistent action at household and community levels.
