CS-SUNN Urges Adamawa To Commit N9bn Counterpart Fund To Combat Child Malnutrition

Hanny Henry

The Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has called on the Adamawa State Government to commit N9 billion as counterpart funding to address the high rate of child malnutrition in the state.

The appeal was made by Mr. Sodangi Chindo, Chairman of the Steering Committee of CS-SUNN, in a press statement titled “Investing in Nutrition Now”.

Chindo explained that by leveraging available counterpart funding opportunities, the state could access twice the value of its investment, effectively reducing the required N18 billion intervention cost to N9 billion.

“The government should maximize counterpart funding opportunities to secure double the value of investments made in child nutrition,” he said. “In this regard, Adamawa State would need to invest only N9 billion to address child malnutrition instead of the full N18 billion.”

He described malnutrition as a pressing public health challenge in Adamawa, citing stunting at 48.6 per cent, wasting at 7 per cent, and underweight prevalence at 32.5 per cent.

According to him, these indicators pose serious threats to child survival, cognitive development, educational attainment, workforce productivity and long-term economic growth.

Chindo noted that global evidence consistently shows that timely investments in maternal and child nutrition, particularly within the first 1,000 days of life, yield significant returns in improved health outcomes and economic productivity.

He disclosed that CS-SUNN, with support from UNICEF, is currently implementing a project aimed at scaling up access to quality nutrition services in Adamawa. The initiative supports the implementation of the Adamawa State Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (ASMPFAN).

The CS-SUNN chairman called for the full operationalisation of ASMPFAN, strengthened monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and improved coordination of nutrition interventions down to the Local Government Area (LGA) level.

He further advocated sustainable domestic financing, timely release of allocated funds, and efficient utilisation of nutrition budgets across key sectors. In addition, Chindo urged the state government to extend paid maternity leave from three to six months to promote exclusive breastfeeding and enhance child survival outcomes.

He appealed to the media to prioritise evidence-based reporting on nutrition issues and hold relevant authorities accountable for budgetary commitments and measurable results.

Chindo also encouraged private sector actors to invest in food fortification initiatives, increase the availability of affordable nutritious foods, and adopt workplace policies that support breastfeeding mothers. Civil society organisations, he added, should sustain advocacy efforts, mobilise communities, and align their interventions with the state’s nutrition priorities.

He commended the state government, development partners, the media, and civil society groups for their ongoing support, emphasising that increased investment in nutrition would not only save lives but also secure Adamawa’s long-term economic future.