By Usman Muhammed Zaria
Jigawa State Executive Council has approved the release of ₦570 million as a matching fund for the procurement of essential therapeutic and nutritional products through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The initiative is aimed at strengthening efforts to combat severe acute malnutrition and improve the nutritional status of children across the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Sagir Musa Ahmed, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the council meeting held at Government House, Dutse.
According to him, the approval includes ₦300 million for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and therapeutic milk products, F75 and F100, through UNICEF to support the treatment and management of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
He said the remaining ₦270 million would be used to procure multiple micronutrient supplements to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve the nutritional health of vulnerable populations.
“Total Approved Matching Fund: N570 Million, this significant intervention follows the successful treatment and recovery of 15,957 children out of 18,122 children admitted into Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) center’s across Jigawa State in 2025, representing approximately 88.1 per cent recovery of the children admitted during the period”
Sagir Musa Ahmed said, the achievement reflects the importance of sustained investment in nutrition programmes, effective treatment interventions and collaboration between the state government, UNICEF and other development partners in addressing the challenge of child malnutrition.
He said, the procurement of RUTF and therapeutic milk F75 and F100 will ensure the continued availability of essential nutritional products required for the treatment and management of children with severe acute malnutrition.
Similarly, the provision of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements will help address nutritional deficiencies and support improved health and development.
He said, the intervention is particularly
important in sustaining the gains recorded in the state’s nutrition response, ensuring uninterrupted availability of essential nutrition commodities and expanding access to life-saving treatment for vulnerable children across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
