SCFN Holds First and Second Quarter Meeting to Strengthen Nutrition Interventions in Kogi

Lokoja – The State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) has held its First and Second Quarter meeting at the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, State Secretariat, Lokoja, with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to improving food and nutrition security across Kogi State.

The meeting brought together representatives of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, civil society organisations, academia and other stakeholders to review progress on nutrition programmes and explore strategies for strengthening interventions in the state.

Speaking at the meeting, the Acting Chairman of the Committee and Director of Planning (Macro) in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mallam Abubakar Tanimu Musa, underscored the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in tackling malnutrition and ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food for all citizens.

Musa also advocated the introduction of nutrition-related courses in tertiary institutions, stressing that the state is facing a shortage of qualified nutrition professionals. He informed members that the newly posted Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ochu Philip Omeiza, has assumed office as Chairman of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition. He conveyed the Permanent Secretary’s apologies for his absence, citing official engagements.

The committee reviewed first and second quarter reports on ongoing nutrition programmes being implemented by various MDAs, development partners, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. Agencies represented included the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education, Women Affairs and Social Development, Water Resources and Information, as well as the International Fund for Agricultural Development/Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD/VCDP) and the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON).

Participants identified inadequate funding and delays in budget releases as major challenges affecting programme implementation. They, however, agreed on the need to adopt innovative approaches to strengthen coordination and mobilise resources for nutrition interventions.

In his remarks, the Nutrition Focal Person in the Ministry of Health and State Coordinator of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, Mr. Ogundusi Bolarinwa, expressed optimism about the government’s readiness to commence activities once funding is released by the World Bank.

Bolarinwa also called for the speedy constitution and inauguration of Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition (LGCFNs), noting that Kogi and Kwara states currently rank low on the national nutrition dashboard due to the non-establishment of the committees.

The meeting also featured a review of the 2026 Action Plan for the Food Systems Transformation Pathway (FSTP), presented by the Acting Chairman of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, who also serves as the State Coordinator of the programme.

The meeting concluded with a call on stakeholders to sustain their commitment to improving nutritional outcomes and enhancing the overall well-being of residents across the state. The appeal was made by the ANRiN State Coordinator during his closing remarks.