By Fatima Aliyu,
Kaduna State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening nutrition financing, multisectoral coordination, and sustainable health interventions to improve nutrition outcomes across the state.
The commitment was made at the Women in Power Conference 2026, organized by the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission in collaboration with the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).
The conference brought together women leaders, policymakers, development partners, civil society organizations, and community advocates to deliberate on strategies to advance the state’s nutrition agenda.
Declaring the event open, the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed Monrovia, described nutrition as a vital investment in human capital, education, and economic productivity rather than a matter limited to the health sector.
Monrovia assured that the Commission will continue incorporating nutrition priorities into state development plans and budgetary processes.
He also highlighted the Nutrition Champions initiative, which mobilizes influential women to advocate for increased nutrition investment and stronger action against malnutrition.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, described her recognition as a Nutrition Champion as a call to service rather than a personal achievement.
Dr. Balarabe, conveying Governor Uba Sani’s goodwill, disclosed that Kaduna recorded 82 percent Vitamin A supplementation coverage and 79 percent coverage for mid-upper arm circumference screening during the June 2026 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week.
She added that 30,089 children across all 23 local government areas were treated for severe acute malnutrition in 2025 through the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition program.
Dr. Balarabe cited the Kaduna State 2026–2030 Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan as a pivotal framework to consolidate these gains, pledging ongoing support for sustainable financing, exclusive breastfeeding, and maternal nutrition.
CS-SUNN Steering Committee National Chairperson, Jessica Bartholomew, noted that the conference recognized women key to shaping local nutrition policies, tasking them to use their influence to drive broader health advocacy.
Similarly, the National President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Dr. Zainab Kwaru Muhammad Idris, praised the government and partners, including UNICEF, the World Bank, and Save the Children for their continuous investments.
The stakeholders at conference pledged to enhance health service delivery, promote anemia prevention, and deepen community engagement across Kaduna State.
Edited by Yusuf Zubairu
