FG to Drive Implementation of Nutrition Budget in MDAs
James Emejo in Abuja
The federal government has expressed its commitment to driving the implementation of a presidential directive on the establishment of nutrition departments, and the creation of a budget line for nutrition in all relevant line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mr. Nebolisa Anako, disclosed this at the 2022 Annual Results Conference of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project, with the theme: “Boosting the Gains of Accelerating Nutrition Results: Leveraging Lessons from Innovative Approaches”.
He said the move was aimed at creating more financing routes for nutrition in the country.
He said part of the objectives was to institutionalise a nutrition budget tagging and tracking system as well as the development of optimal nutrition model and financing framework to enhance increased commitment and promote accountability in nutrition spending across all levels of government while all necessary machinery is in place for the development of a National Nutrition Dashboard for the country.
The permanent secretary noted that food and nutrition security remained critical issues that affect the health, well-being, and economic development of individuals and nations, adding that Nigeria, like many other countries, faces significant challenges in ensuring the availability, accessibility, and affordability of nutritious food for its citizens.
He said the recent occurrences such as the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, the war in Ukraine, and effects of climate change among others have further exacerbated these challenges, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to strengthen food and nutrition security.
He said the conference provided an important platform for stakeholders from various sectors to come together and exchange ideas on how to address these challenges and mainstream innovative approaches for strengthening food and nutrition security in the country.
He added that the ministry was strategically disposed to change the narrative in the nutrition landscape, adding that the discussions and outcomes of the conference will contribute to the development of effective policies, programme, and partnerships for improving food and nutrition security in the country.
