FG Unveils Nutrition 774 Plan to Curb $56bn Malnutrition in Nigeria

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Federal Government has officially launched the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a bold nationwide programme aimed at combating malnutrition and repositioning nutrition as a pillar of national development.

The initiative, unveiled during the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security held as part of theHouse of Representatives Open Week in Abuja, is designed as a grassroots intervention to improve nutrition outcomes in underserved communities across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

The programme rollout was announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who spoke through Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia.

Shettima, who also chairs the National Council on Nutrition, described the initiative as a strategic component of the Renewed Hope Agenda, driven by the President’s vision to foster inclusive, people-centered development.

The Vice President also acknowledged the support of development partners including the World Bank, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières, GAIN, and Nutrition International— and urged for sustained collaboration under Nigeria’s national priorities.

Importantly, Shettima called for increased and consistent budgetary allocations, improved legislative oversight, and a national mindset shift.

He also urged citizens and policymakers alike to see nutrition not as charity, but as a fundamental issue of social and economic justice.

*Malnutrition Costs Nigeria $56 Billion Annually — Speaker Abbas*

In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, reinforced the urgency of the Federal Government’s initiative, revealing that malnutrition costs Nigeria approximately 12.2% of its Gross National Income (GNI) — roughly $56 billion annually.

Represented by the Leader of the House, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, he said this economic burden is further compounded by post-harvest food losses valued at $2 billion each year, highlighting the need for urgent policy reforms and systemic coordination.

Abbas pledged the support of the House in ensuring effective implementation of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, and noted that the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security is already engaging all 36 states through capacity-building and policy harmonization efforts.

He also raised concerns over multiple levies imposed on food transportation, which he said are escalating food prices and worsening food insecurity, and called for greater transparency in how development loans and aid are deployed for nutrition projects.

*Legislative Backing for Systemic Nutrition Reforms*

Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor, described the Nutrition 774 Initiative as timely, adding that Nigeria’s nutrition crisis is not just a health emergency but an economic liability.

He announced the committee’s plan to institutionalise strategic capacity-building sessions for lawmakers — in partnership with the **National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)** — to enhance oversight and policy coherence in the nutrition sector.

Okafor also welcomed the enactment of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, describing it as a tool that could streamline revenue flows to support nutrition and food security programmes.

He urged public education on how tax harmonization can drive development outcomes.