By Segun Adewale, Bauchi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stressed the need for urgent and sustained investment in child nutrition and health to tackle malnutrition as well as address life-threatening maternal and newborn emergencies, towards enhancing child survival and well-being.
Similarly, it also called on the governments of Bauchi and Plateau States to step up and intensify efforts towards tackling child malnutrition by releasing more funds for nutrition, investing in local food solutions, and expanding community-driven initiatives already saving lives.
The new UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms Wafaa Saeed, made the call in a press release issued yesterday following her visits to both states, where she met with government officials, traditional rulers, mothers, fathers, and children to discuss collective action for child survival and wellbeing.
According to her, “If governments, communities, and partners come together for children and act with urgency and unity, we can give every child in Nigeria the chance not just to survive, but to truly thrive”.
While in Plateau, Ms Saeed commended the State Government’s commitment to children, highlighting its investment in the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), which led to the procurement of over 5,300 cartons of nutrition supplements for 15,000 children.
She, however, noted that nearly half of children under five remain stunted, stressing the need for quick release of pledged funds and investments in locally available nutritious foods to strengthen growth.
Meanwhile, in Bauchi state, Ms Saeed engaged Governor Bala Mohammed on strengthening healthcare and education, while also commending efforts to expand newborn care, renovate primary healthcare centres, and scale up investment in child-friendly services.
She observed the dedication of community groups, including “Fathers for Good Health, spreading health messages, women supporting each other in Mama2Mama groups, and traditional leaders taking active roles in improving child wellbeing.
“The passion and commitment of these groups, especially the women, left me deeply inspired,” she noted.
At a nutrition facility in Bauchi, Ms. Saeed met children battling severe acute malnutrition, “Holding their tiny hands and seeing the pain in their eyes was a stark reminder that behind every statistic is a child, a mother’s hope, and a father’s dream. No child should suffer this way. Their survival depends on the choices and actions we take now, not tomorrow,” she said.
Ms Saeed further commended Bauchi State’s release of ₦300 million to the UNICEF-managed CNF, which will be matched, thereby expanding access to lifesaving nutrition interventions for vulnerable children.
According to her, Plateau and Bauchi states have demonstrated what is possible when leadership, communities and partners unite for children, urging other states to release funds and scale up local solutions.
