By Shegun Ogundikpe
IBADAN — The United Nations Children’s Fund has raised concerns over the low utilisation of the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) by states in Nigeria’s South-West, warning that poor uptake could worsen child malnutrition and deepen the region’s stunting burden.
The alarm was sounded by the Programme Manager at UNICEF Nigeria’s Lagos Field Office, Mohammed Okorie, during a regional workshop on integrated, multi-sectoral nutrition programmes held in Ibadan.
Okorie stressed that nutrition is a fundamental right of every child, warning that neglect—particularly within the first 1,000 days of life—can lead to irreversible damage to a child’s physical growth and cognitive development.
“Once a child is stunted, the damage is done; it is irreversible. This is not like education that can be delayed. Nutrition cannot wait,” he said.
He cautioned that failure to prioritise early-life nutrition amounts to jeopardising the future productivity and wellbeing of an entire generation, noting that practices such as exclusive breastfeeding and proper complementary feeding are critical to preventing stunting.
Describing stunting as more than a health concern, Okorie said it represents a broader development challenge with far-reaching implications for education, economic productivity, and national growth.
Although the South-West fares relatively better than other regions, he noted that its stunting rate—estimated at about 21.5 per cent—remains unacceptably high.
“We should not be comforted by comparative figures. Twenty-one per cent is still far too high when you consider the irreversible nature of stunting,” he said.
Highlighting the potential of the CNF, Okorie explained that the initiative offers states an opportunity to scale up investments through matching funds designed to remove financial barriers and accelerate impact.
“It is therefore concerning that not all states are fully taking advantage of this mechanism,” he added.
He also commended the Federal Government’s N774 Initiative, describing it as a critical step towards improving coordination across all tiers of government, while emphasising that nutrition requires a whole-of-government and society-wide approach.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Forum of Chairmen of Committees on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Tolulope Ige, called for stronger media involvement and improved grassroots implementation of nutrition programmes.
“The media has a crucial role in shaping public awareness and holding stakeholders accountable. Without sustained advocacy, progress will remain slow,” Ige said.
He warned that Nigeria continues to suffer significant economic losses due to malnutrition, stressing that the country cannot afford to ignore the issue if it is serious about development.
“We must move beyond policy frameworks and ensure that implementation reaches communities where the need is greatest,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of Oyo State’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barrister Seun Asamu, the Permanent Secretary, Tunde Ayanleke, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to nutrition interventions.
He noted that Oyo State has made measurable progress in reducing child stunting—from 37 per cent in 2018 to 23.4 per cent in 2024—attributing the improvement to sustained political will, strategic planning, and partnerships with organisations such as UNICEF.
Ayanleke also revealed that Oyo was the first South-West state to access CNF matching funds, which has strengthened its capacity to implement impactful programmes.
Calling for greater regional collaboration, he urged other states to step up efforts to fully utilise the fund.
“We must work together as a region to scale up interventions and ensure that no child is left behind,” he said, warning that low uptake of the CNF represents a missed opportunity to significantly tackle malnutrition.
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