In a decisive move to confront one of Nigeria’s most pressing silent crises, Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the Strategic Board of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a nationwide programme aimed at eradicating malnutrition across all 774 local government areas.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima described the initiative as a strategic cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s administration — a bold response to what he termed a “quiet emergency” threatening the health, stability, and productivity of the nation.
Framing malnutrition as both a health emergency and a national security concern, the Vice President stressed the urgent need for coordinated, grassroots-driven action. “This is not a tea-drinking exercise,” he emphasized. “It is a race against time — a national mission to save lives and secure Nigeria’s future.”
Unlike similar initiatives that have been criticized for lack of coordination, Nutrition 774 is designed to consolidate fragmented efforts under one unified, measurable framework. It aims to reach children, women, and vulnerable populations in homes, schools, hospitals, and IDP camps — addressing not just hunger, but the systemic challenges tied to poverty and underdevelopment.
In a show of intergovernmental unity, several key figures endorsed the initiative:
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, praised the programme’s potential to reduce poverty and foster national cohesion.
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted the gender dimensions of malnutrition, calling for increased investment in women’s empowerment.
On his part, Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Uju Anwuka, lauded the initiative as “a right step in the right direction,” assuring full legislative support. “This initiative is going straight to the grassroots,” he said. “And the National Assembly stands firmly behind it.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Anwuka, echoed the urgency of the cause, tying the initiative to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She stressed that Nutrition 774 will not only combat hunger but also drive human capital development and health equity nationwide.
Compared to previous efforts often limited by bureaucracy, poor funding, and lack of follow-through the Nutrition 774 Initiative distinguishes itself through its emphasis on accountability, community engagement, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Strategically anchored on leadership, policy alignment, partnerships, and local participation, the programme signals a new era in Nigeria’s fight against malnutrition. It places the issue where it belongs — at the top of the national development agenda.
