Katsina Commits N500m to Fight Child Malnutrition

(Governor Dikko Radda. Photo by THISDAYLIVE)

Katsina State has committed N500 million as a matching contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund, responding to UNICEF’s appeal for an additional N1.2 billion to strengthen nutrition programmes and health services targeting women and children.

Governor Dikko Radda made this announcement during a meeting with Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, the newly appointed Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, who led a delegation to the Government House.

Radda emphasized that the state’s long-standing collaboration with UNICEF has produced tangible outcomes, particularly in addressing severe acute malnutrition through the creation of stabilisation centres and mobile treatment facilities.

He expressed confidence in the partnership and pledged to incorporate UNICEF’s funding request into the state’s 2027 budget despite tight fiscal conditions.

The governor also highlighted recent achievements, including the hiring of over 9,000 teachers and workforce training initiatives.

Ur-Rehman detailed how the N1.2 billion would be utilised. UNICEF would provide matching funds to purchase micronutrient supplements for expectant mothers and therapeutic nutrition products for children experiencing severe wasting.

He acknowledged Katsina’s consistent contributions and underscored the state’s involvement in a global trial testing updated World Health Organisation protocols for preventing and managing acute wasting in children.

He noted that findings from Katsina’s participation would inform nutrition strategies across Nigeria and contribute to international efforts addressing child malnutrition.

Beyond nutrition, UNICEF recognised improvements across healthcare, water and sanitation, schooling, and child safeguarding.

Full vaccination coverage has more than doubled, and birth registration rates have climbed to 68 per cent.

The state earned recognition for being the first in Nigeria to allocate N270 million toward a comprehensive nutrition assessment survey.