By Nasir Shuaibu, Bauchi
The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has urged local government councils in Bauchi State to increase funding and strengthen policies aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition.
The appeal was made during an advocacy visit and stakeholders’ engagement held in Bauchi on Monday, where CS-SUNN’s National Programme Officer, Mr. Kunle Ishola, said local governments must take greater responsibility for addressing malnutrition at the grassroots.
He noted that while investments in nutrition over the years had produced encouraging results, sustained domestic funding and stronger political commitment were needed to ensure every child had access to adequate nutrition and quality healthcare.
The stakeholders called on local government chairmen and primary healthcare managers to prioritise nutrition programmes, particularly in communities with high cases of malnutrition.
They also advocated stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners and community leaders to promote exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate infant feeding practices and improved maternal healthcare.
Responding on behalf of the Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Council, Alhaji Babamaji, the Director of Primary Healthcare Development, Sulaiman Abdu Kirfi, described the advocacy visit as timely.
He said the council had incorporated nutrition activities into its 2026 and 2027 budgets and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting interventions that improve the health of women and children.
Kirfi added that regular meetings of the Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition remained critical for coordinating nutrition programmes across sectors.
The event featured the presentation of CS-SUNN souvenirs to the ALGON chairman and a group photograph.
