The Federal Government (FG) on Tuesday unveiled the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey in Abuja.
The report is aimed at accessing the micronutrient status and dietary consumption pattern of key population groups in Nigeria.
Unveiling the survey, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima said the report would place Nigeria on the global map amongst exemplary nations with improved nutrition indices.
Beyond the numerical data contained in the survey, the Vice President said in the report lay the profound impact on lives, the potential for positive transformation, and the unity of purpose it brings to the nation.
Shettima, who was represented at the occasion by the Senior Assistant to the President on Public Health/Focal Person, Nutrition, Mrs Uju Anwukah noted that Nigeria had recorded much success concerning nutrition in the past because there has been a lack of sufficient data to drive research and evidence-based policies. But now with the launch of the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey, he expressed optimism that the situation would change.
‘‘As we launch this report of the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey, we reflect that beyond the numerical data lies the profound impact on lives, the potential for positive transformation, and the unity of purpose it brings to our nation.
“I have a firm believe that Nigeria will be placed amongst exemplary nations with improved nutrition indices
‘‘If we have not recorded much success concerning nutrition in the past, it is because there has been a lack of sufficient data to drive research and evidence-based policies. But now with the launch of the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey aimed at accessing the micronutrient status and dietary consumption pattern of key population groups in Nigeria, I’m sure there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Again, let me commend you for a job well done.
‘‘Whenever I hear the word nutrition it comes to me with mixed feelings. On one hand, a lot of effort is being made toward the realization of the set agenda, and other hand, wondering when this will come to fruition.
‘‘Some have argued that Nigeria is a poor nation, others have argued that the budgetary provision for agriculture and health is far below expectation owing to the persistent malnutrition challenges in Nigeria; but with the agenda set out by the Tinubu/Shettima administration coupled with the teamwork among the ministers and all stakeholder, this narrative will change,’’ he said.
Recall that the Vice President, who incidentally is chairman of the National Council on Nutrition, recently made strong commitments to driving the nutrition agenda through 5-High high-level pillars of Decentralized Coordination, profile raising, financing, scaling up nutrition interventions and of course data and accountability.
Earlier in his keynote address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate said the survey provides good evidence to formulation of informed policies, programmes and implementation and also will move the nation away 0overtime from faith based policies and programmes to evidence based policies and programmes.
‘‘We are undergoing nutritional transition. This involves a lot, like how we eat, what we eat and we have a huge volume of under nutrition, over nutrition and also micro-efficiency. These are the findings of this report.
”These are some of the transitions Nigeria is going through. It is the aim of this government to make this transition work for us and for all Nigeria for prosperity in prospering our future.
‘‘We will be engaging with traditional and religious leaders on advocacy and demand creation for nutrition support and awareness. The Minister of Budget and National Planning has assured me that funding on the Federal government side won’t be an issue and I hope that we will receive that. I urge those who have prepared this report to not relent but see it through. I urge them to keep faith in this pursuit,’’ he said.
He assured the commitment of the Federal Government to implementing evidence based solutions to improve nutrition in Nigeria.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu said the report was important because it would assist various government agencies achieve their mandates through effective planning and policy formulation.
He said the outcome of the report would strengthen the ongoing efforts of Federal government in achieving a healthy and nutrition compliant nation.
The Chief Nutrition, UNICEF, Ms. Nemat Hajeebhoy, said, ‘‘the launch is historic and historic because it is the first time in over two decades that we have completed in Nigeria, a very, very large and complex survey. It is amongst the largest of its kind in the region, on the continent, and I believe perhaps in the world.’’
The Country Director of GAIN, DR. Michael Ojo described the feat as a big win for Nigeria.
He said, ‘‘Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion. Now, what we have here in the report moves us beyond the realm of opinions. It’s been long to come in it’s 20 years in the making.’’
