Plateau State and UNICEF Partner to Combat Child Malnutrition with Vital Nutrient Supplements

JOS, Plateau State –In a significant move to tackle acute malnutrition, the Plateau State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has distributed 5,392 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) for vulnerable children across the state.

The supplements, officially handed over to local government authorities in Jos on Monday, are targeted at children aged 6-23 months. The shipment will provide critical dietary support for approximately 80,000 children over the next five months, helping to boost nutrition and prevent irreversible developmental damage.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo at the ceremony at Government House Little Rayfield, commended UNICEF's Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) initiative. He stated that the partnership is a cornerstone of his administration's "Time Is Now" agenda to improve citizen well-being.

“Plateau State is pleased to be part of this child-lens investment,” the Governor said. “We understand that the key to good health and mental development is appropriate complementary feeding, rich in the correct micronutrients, following exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. Having recognized the importance of adequate nutrition in the first 1000 days of life, we reiterate our commitment to fostering significant long-term impacts on children through cost-effective interventions.”

UNICEF Country Representative Wafaa Saeed, who led the handover, praised the Plateau State Government for being among the first states to leverage the CNF matching grant mechanism. She disclosed that the state government had invested $200,000 to purchase the vital supplements.

“This support will play a crucial role in preventing children from falling into severe malnutrition,” Saeed stated.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Adams Lekshak, confirmed that a second phase of distribution is being planned. He emphasized that defeating malnutrition is essential for paving the way to economic development and national unity.

The event highlighted the power of strategic partnerships and targeted investments to improve child health outcomes. Attendees included traditional rulers, local government chairpersons, nutritionists, health workers, and mothers with their children.

The ceremony served as an opportunity to raise public awareness about child malnutrition and advocate for increased, sustained funding for child health and nutrition initiatives across Nigeria.