Vice President says local councils must lead grassroots efforts to tackle malnutrition across Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed local government chairmen across the country to spearhead the implementation of the Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative to improve nutritional outcomes at the grassroots.
Shettima gave the charge on Friday during a courtesy visit by the National Executive Committee of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Vice President urged ALGON to strengthen Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition, describing them as critical centres for planning, coordination, implementation, and accountability in all 774 local government areas.
“I urge ALGON to drive this process with determination so that every council develops functional structures capable of delivering measurable improvements in nutrition at the community level,” Shettima said.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to nutrition is a governance directive that must translate into healthier families, stronger communities, and improved opportunities for Nigerian children.
According to him, the absence of a coherent nutrition agenda in many local government areas has weakened the implementation of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition.
“National ambitions cannot flourish if they lose momentum before reaching the communities they were designed to serve,” the Vice President added.
Shettima commended ALGON’s efforts in supporting the Nutrition 774 Initiative, including its collaboration with development partners and ongoing validation of pilot local government areas.
Earlier, ALGON National President, Engr. Bello Lawal, pledged the association’s commitment to ensuring the success of the initiative, describing Nutrition 774 as an opportunity to strengthen local food systems, improve agricultural productivity, and boost household incomes.
Lawal also appealed for the inclusion of nutrition services for pregnant women and children in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefit package and called for greater participation of local governments in national development programmes.
The Nutrition 774 Initiative is aimed at addressing malnutrition and improving food security across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas through coordinated grassroots interventions.