UNICEF has asked Bauchi State and its local governments to make child nutrition a budget priority. The agency says malnutrition is rising across the North-East.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, made the appeal at a two-day advocacy meeting in Jos, Plateau State. The chairpersons of Bauchi’s 20 local government councils attended, along with their nutrition officers.
Why the Meeting Was Held
Several new council chairpersons have recently taken office. As a result, UNICEF wanted to show them the scale of child malnutrition in their areas. Rafique said nutrition should rank among their top priorities. In her view, planning, budgeting and resource allocation are key to tackling the problem.
The Numbers Behind the Appeal
Rafique said data shared at the meeting placed Bauchi in the “red” category. That means about 70 per cent or more of its children face multiple deprivations. She added that the nutrition situation has worsened since 2020-2021.
Money remains a major obstacle, she admitted. Even so, she stressed that proven interventions exist. She urged all tiers of government to fund them and put them into practice. Sustained investment, she said, would protect children’s health and secure a better future for communities.
How the Child Nutrition Fund Works
Rafique praised the state and councils for paying into the Child Nutrition Fund in 2025. Under the arrangement, UNICEF matches what governments contribute. The money then buys nutrition supplies for Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and other North-East states. She hopes both levels of government will pay in again in 2026.
What the Councils Plan to Do
Ali Babayo, chairman of Gamawa Local Government Area, spoke for the Bauchi chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). He said the 20 councils are considering doubling their contributions in 2026. According to him, this would give them ownership of the project and keep it going.
Babayo named poverty, a shortage of health workers and poor access to clean water as key causes of malnutrition. To respond, the councils plan to back nutrition officers in teaching parents about good feeding. The lessons will focus on preparing healthy meals from local foods.
He also raised a concern. UNICEF’s supplies of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) cannot cover every child in need. Therefore, the councils will look at locally produced foods to fill the gap. However, he said these foods must meet children’s nutritional needs. Children with severe acute malnutrition must still get recommended therapeutic care.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Philomena Irene called the nutrition indices across the Bauchi Field Office disturbing. She said urgent, coordinated action is needed. She hopes the councils will back the state’s efforts by paying into the fund. The money would buy RUTF and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQLNS).
