Nigeria: VP Shettima Pushes National Food Nutrition Bill Fast-Track

• Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the Federal Government's plan to fast-track a National Food and Nutrition Bill.
• The proposed legislation aims to protect nutrition financing and enforce accountability across administrations, strengthening the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
• Nigeria faces a significant challenge with 40% of children under five stunted, costing the economy an estimated $56 billion annually.
• The bill supports targets to reduce stunting to 25% by 2035, backed by financial commitments and multi-level government collaboration.
• Efforts include strengthening food fortification compliance and engaging the private sector to improve access to nutritious food.

The imperative for this Nigeria malnutrition accountability bill is underscored by alarming statistics: 40 percent of Nigerian children under five currently suffer from stunting.

Vice President Kashim Shettima recently announced the Federal Government's intention to fast-track the development of a National Food and Nutrition Bill. Speaking at the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Vice President emphasized the urgency of this legislative action. The announcement, conveyed through a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, signals a significant push to establish a robust legal framework for nutrition.

The primary objective of this proposed Nigeria National Food Nutrition Bill fast-track is to safeguard nutrition financing and ensure accountability that extends beyond the tenure of any single administration. This strategic move aims to embed long-term commitment and enforcement mechanisms into the nation's efforts to combat malnutrition. The Vice President highlighted that the timing is opportune, given the establishment of nutrition committees in 32 state houses of assembly across the country.

The anticipated FG National Food and Nutrition Bill is designed to bolster the Federal Government’s existing Nutrition 774 Initiative, creating a more comprehensive and unified approach to addressing malnutrition. This legislation seeks to deepen a compact among federal, state, and local governments, fostering a collaborative response that begins at the community level. This multi-tiered governmental compact is crucial for effective implementation and widespread impact.

Underpinning these legislative efforts is Nigeria’s National Policy on Food and Nutrition 2026–2035, which has been adopted by the National Council on Nutrition and is awaiting ratification by the Federal Executive Council, and has set ambitious targets for reducing the country's stunting rate. The policy aims to decrease stunting among children under five to 32 percent by 2029, further to 28 percent by 2032, and ultimately to 25 percent by 2035. Vice President Shettima nutrition legislation also aims to strengthen systems that link public expenditure directly to measurable nutrition outcomes through scorecards and enhanced domestic financing, ensuring that budgets effectively nourish children.

The imperative for this Nigeria malnutrition accountability bill is underscored by alarming statistics: 40 percent of Nigerian children under five currently suffer from stunting. This widespread undernutrition carries a substantial economic burden, costing the national economy an estimated $56 billion annually. Vice President Shettima stressed that these reforms are vital to protect learning, preserve earnings, and project national productivity.

In a demonstration of financial commitment, Nigeria’s $26 million contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund successfully attracted matching support, unlocking an additional $52 million. Furthermore, 21 states have collectively contributed $6.3 million since 2023, specifically allocated for supplies to prevent and treat malnutrition. The proposed Presidential Nutrition Investment Fund is intended to provide catalytic financing, while a dedicated Nutrition Financing Subcommittee is actively working to mobilize additional domestic resources to sustain these critical interventions.

Beyond legislative development, the government is actively strengthening its implementation capacity at all levels. Nutrition committees have been established in over 450 local government areas, complementing the efforts to reinforce state councils and delivery mechanisms. The Nutrition 774 Initiative legislation provides a singular framework that integrates all tiers of government, with governors and local government chairpersons expected to spearhead implementation within their respective jurisdictions. Each council, as the lowest administrative tier, is designated as a unit for planning, financing, and accountability.

Collaborative efforts with states are focusing on developing costed plans for priority councils, integrating health, agriculture, social protection, water, sanitation, hygiene, and education services. Furthermore, the government is engaging with the private sector, including food vendors, small and medium enterprises, manufacturers, financiers, and regulators, through its Private Sector Engagement Framework. This initiative aims to improve the availability and affordability of nutritious food. A key focus is also on working with industry and regulators to strengthen Food fortification compliance Nigeria for essential staples such as salt, flour, edible oil, and sugar, ensuring these products meet critical nutritional standards. Internationally, Nigeria and Ethiopia plan to collaborate on a joint statement defining continued cooperation on nutrition, as noted by Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh.

Lawyers and compliance officers in the food, agriculture, and public health sectors should monitor the progress of Nigeria's proposed National Food and Nutrition Bill. Its fast-tracking signals potential new regulatory frameworks, compliance obligations, and enforcement mechanisms related to food standards, fortification, and supply chain accountability, requiring proactive assessment of client operations.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers.