The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria CS-SUNN has trained 35 members and media practitioners on leadership, advocacy, and performance tracking using key performance indicators.
The two-day residential training, held in Kaduna, focused on strengthening the capacity of state focal chapters to effectively drive nutrition interventions and improve food security outcomes.
Kaduna State Coordinator of CS-SUNN, Mrs. Celestina Ayim, said the training was designed to equip members with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance advocacy efforts and function effectively as a coalition.
She explained that participants were exposed to strategies for effective engagement, collaboration, and sustainability, noting that achieving food and nutrition security requires a structured system and collective commitment among stakeholders.
Mrs. Ayim emphasized the need for strong partnerships, stressing that coordinated efforts are essential for achieving set goals in nutrition advocacy.
Also speaking, Senior Programme Officer of CS-SUNN in Abuja, Mr. Kunle Ishola, clarified the concept of advocacy, noting that it is often misunderstood as a mere courtesy visit.
He said effective advocacy requires clear strategies, proper planning, and a good understanding of target stakeholders.
Mr. Ishola highlighted the importance of the SMART approach—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound—in designing advocacy initiatives, adding that stakeholder mapping and needs assessment are critical for delivering impactful messages.
He further urged participants to understand the needs of their beneficiaries and tailor communication strategies that resonate with different stakeholders.
In his remarks, a member of the Steering and Finance Committee of CS-SUNN, Alhaji Ibrahim Tudu, said sustained advocacy and sensitization by civil society organizations have significantly improved awareness of malnutrition across communities.
He noted that increased awareness has led to better understanding of the causes of malnutrition, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, and the use of locally available foods to achieve balanced diets, especially among pregnant and nursing mothers in rural areas.
The training forms part of CS-SUNN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen nutrition interventions and enhance public health outcomes across Nigeria.
Fatima Aliyu, FRCN Kaduna
