Femi Mustapha
Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has expressed dismay that Nigeria’s nutrition data management systems are weak, both at the National and sub-national levels, making the fight against malnutrition difficult.
Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, Sunday Okoronkwo, expressed this in Abuja, on Thursday, at a Media Roundtable on ‘Reset Nutrition for Human Capital Development in Nigeria”
According to him, key sources of nutrition data are Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Nutrition, Health Survey (NNHS) which are complex undertakings that cannot be implemented in the required frequency needed for nutrition programming in Nigeria.
Okoronkwo who was represented by CS-SUNN Communication Officer, Lilian Okafor, said it is critical to establish an Integrated Food and Nutrition Information Systems as stipulated in the National Policy of Food and Nutrition that enhances availability and use of routine nutrition data to better support policy development, programme designs and monitoring”, He added.
The Executive Secretary expressed worries that Nigeria will not meet its HCD vision which will contribute to attaining the SDGs by 2030 if nutrition is not prioritized.
He disclosed that CS-SUNN is working to improve accountability within the country’s nutrition systems through quarterly review of interventions and achievements in the nutrition environment.
“The alliance is currently making efforts to digitize and implement the appraisal tool designed in PINNS 1.0 (the appraisal tool measures coordination and resource mobilization functions among MDAs towards improved implementation of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition- the tool is now owned by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning) and will build the capacity of desk officers to complete and generate nutrition data reports electronically for timely evidence-based decision making in Nigeria
“The alliance restates her commitment to advancing Nigeria’s nutrition agenda for improved nutritional status of women, children and vulnerable groups which will contribute to attaining the country’s HCD targets. Currently, CS-SUNN is implementing the Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems 2.0 (PINNS-2.0) project.
“The PINNS-2.0 project surmises that when government sustainably commits to improving nutrition through strong nutrition governance, it will ensure data for planning and decision making is routinely available and that adequate domestic financing is made available to effectively deliver on nutrition services.
“The outcome will be a well-nourished child who grows up to become a major contributor to growing the country’s Gross Domestic Product, thus aligning to the country’s HCD objectives.” he explained.
