Digital tools key to tracking nutrition funds, CS-SUNN tells Nasarawa stakeholders

The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has trained officials of Nasarawa State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the use of digital tools for tracking nutrition budget allocations, releases, and utilisation.

The two-day capacity-building workshop, held in Lafia on Thursday, aimed to strengthen transparency and accountability in the state’s nutrition spending ahead of the 2027 budget cycle.

Speaking at the opening, CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Mr Aboki Jonah, said digital tracking would help stakeholders monitor whether funds budgeted for nutrition actually reach targeted persons and help reduce malnutrition.

Jonah further explained that the training was also designed to equip MDAs with smart memo writing skills to ensure that nutrition budgets are included in their respective MDA proposals.

“Nutrition budgets are often hidden under broad health or agriculture lines. Digital tools now allow us to tag, track releases, and monitor expenditure in real time. This is how we ensure no child is left behind,” he said.

Jonah appreciated the state government for increasing the nutrition budget allocation over the last few years but lamented the inadequate and untimely release of funds to tackle malnutrition.

Also, Hope Ikani, Programme Officer of CS-SUNN, said the training aimed to familiarise participants with the new digital budget tracking system, enabling them to track the performance of funds allocated for nutrition across various MDAs.

Ikani noted that participants would now be able to digitally track nutrition budget allocations, releases, and utilisation to ensure funds reach targeted persons, thereby reducing malnutrition in the state.

She also commended the Nasarawa State Government for increasing allocations for nutrition intervention in the 2026 budget and called on the government to do even better in the 2027 budget.

Isa Abdul-Osama, Director of Planning at the Ministry of Budget and Planning and State Coordinating Director for Food and Nutrition, commended CS-SUNN for the initiative, describing it as a complement to government efforts toward tackling malnutrition.

He further explained that as budget implementers, the reminder from CS-SUNN underscored the need to ensure timely approvals and release of funds to nutrition-focused MDAs to effectively combat malnutrition.

“We can no longer afford to budget without tracking impact. With these tools, Nasarawa can become a model for nutrition accountability,” he stated.

Participants were drawn from the Ministries of Health, Budget and Planning, Agriculture, Water Resources, Women Affairs, the media, and over 15 CSOs, among others. (NAN)