Jane Salihu
The Federal Government is seeking to make schools a stronger frontline in Nigeria’s fight against child malnutrition, with the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji A lausa, identifying school feeding, school health and nutrition education as critical components of the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
Alausa made the call at the Ethiopia–Nigeria Leadership Exchange on Moving the Needle on Nutrition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he said keeping children in school, improving learning and creating healthier school environments could contribute significantly to better nutrition and developmental outcomes.
The Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, on the Minister’s intervention during a session on Building the Multi-Sectoral Framework.
Alausa said tackling child malnutrition required coordinated action beyond the health sector, stressing that education, health, agriculture, planning and other relevant sectors must work together with clear responsibilities, adequate financing and effective monitoring.
He described the Nutrition 774 Initiative as an opportunity to translate national nutrition priorities into practical interventions across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, particularly for children, families and communities most in need.
According to him, school feeding provides a practical avenue for improving children’s nutrition while also encouraging regular school attendance, noting that linking feeding programmes with school participation could help address barriers that prevent some children from enrolling in or remaining in school.
The Minister also highlighted the integration of nutrition-related studies into Nigeria’s revised school curriculum, saying children should be equipped with knowledge of healthy eating, wellbeing and healthy lifestyles from an early age.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education’s proposed contribution to the initiative would cover school feeding, school health, nutrition education and measures aimed at strengthening access to quality education and school participation.
Alausa explained that the interventions are expected to form part of local government multisectoral plans of action for food and nutrition, with education indicators proposed for inclusion in the Nutrition 774 local government scorecard.
The Minister further called for greater attention to early childhood care and development beyond the first 1,000 days of life, stressing that children continue to have significant nutritional, health and developmental needs throughout their early years.
He also identified reliable and integrated data as essential to effective nutrition planning, saying better coordination of government data would help authorities identify vulnerable children and communities, target interventions and determine whether intended beneficiaries were being reached.
Alausa said national nutrition policies must be matched with effective implementation at the state and local government levels, supported by clear targets and monitoring mechanisms.
He noted that the proposed education indicators in the Nutrition 774 scorecard would help strengthen accountability and track the contribution of the education sector to improved nutrition outcomes.
The Minister also welcomed lessons from Ethiopia on coordinating nutrition interventions and mobilising domestic resources, while stressing that any approaches adopted from the country would have to be adapted to Nigeria’s circumstances.
He said sustained progress against malnutrition would require stronger collaboration, adequate financing and effective implementation across sectors.
Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to work with relevant ministries, state governments, local authorities and development partners to advance education-related interventions under the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
EHe said improving children’s nutrition alongside access to quality education was essential to building a healthier and more productive population, adding that stronger school-based interventions could help more Nigerian children learn, grow and fulfil their potential.
