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5,800 Plateau Children Suffer Acute Malnutrition – Report

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10 months ago

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By Asile Abel,Jos

For decades, malnutrition in Nigeria has been described in statistics, often reduced to charts and policy debates. But in places like Jos North, the crisis has a face, small arms that barely fit a measuring tape, sunken eyes that betray hunger, and children who, at five years old, weigh less than they should at two.

Despite being one of Nigeria’s agricultural strongholds, Plateau State has not been spared from the nutrition crisis gripping the country. According to the 2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), nearly half of the children in the state are stunted, with more than 326,000 affected, a staggering figure for a state blessed with fertile soil and local food options.

Still, in the midst of the crisis, voices of resilience rise.

Cynthia Raymond, a mother of a six-month-old baby, sits proudly with her daughter in her arms. Nothing else, just breast milk. It’s been good. No illness. I eat well, eggs, meat, fruits and I see the strength in my baby. She hardly falls sick.” she says with confidence.

Cynthia is one of many mothers embracing exclusive breastfeeding, a low-cost, high-impact intervention proven to prevent disease and promote healthy growth in children under six months.

“After six months, I plan to introduce complementary feeding. I’ll make Tamba, groundnut, grains with crayfish and vegetables. I want her strong,” she added.

Another mother, Tabita Solomon, shares a similar story. “I prepared puff from ground grains, soybean, and crayfish. He ate it and loved it. They said breastfed babies don’t eat much, but mine? He eats everything. He started crawling before five months. He walks now. Teething was easy.”

These mothers represent a growing movement: women returning to traditional, nutritious foods and health education to combat a crisis once thought insurmountable.

Yet, the scale of the challenge is immense. Across Nigeria, over 15 million children are stunted, 10 million are wasted, and 12 million are anaemic. Numbers second only to India globally. In Plateau alone, 5,800 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition. And the consequences are deadly: weakened immunity, poor brain development, and a high risk of death before the age of five.

Philomena Irene, a Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, did not mince words during a two-day media dialogue with journalists in Jos. “Nigeria ranks number one in Africa for child malnutrition. Not because of war like in Sudan or Chad but because of our child population size and systemic health gaps.

She painted a grim picture “31 million Nigerians don’t know where their next meal will come from. And among children aged 0–6 months, only one in three is exclusively breastfed. We’re already shortchanging the future,” she warned.

Plateau’s statistics align with this national crisis. 46.4% of children are stunted, 4.8% are wasted, and 22.3% are anaemic. The under-five mortality rate is 105 per 1,000 live births, well above global targets.

She stressed that reversing malnutrition requires a shift not just in policy, but in attitude. “This is about our own children. Not someone else’s but ours. Feeding them right is our first responsibility.”

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The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) band, a simple strip used to measure a child’s nutrition status. “When the arm falls in the red zone, we know we must act immediately. That child is severely wasted”; Irene explained, holding up the strip.

In Plateau, the red-zone children number in thousands. Yet, the awareness is growing.

UNICEF called on local leaders, families, and policymakers to act. “Start from your kitchen. Choose wisely. That sugary beverage? It’s 90% sugar, 1% cocoa. That’s not food,” Philomena said, her voice tinged with frustration.

Malnutrition, as the Nutritionist say, is not incurable. But it is sneaky, it hides behind full stomachs and cultural norms. “Just because a child eats doesn’t mean they’re nourished,” warned Philomena

Irene revealed that every $1 invested in child nutrition generates a $16 return, emphasizing the economic and developmental urgency of tackling malnutrition among children aged 6 to 23 months in Plateau State.

The nutritionist said that while exclusive breastfeeding is vital for children from birth to six months, attention must shift to ensuring nutrient-rich complementary foods are introduced afterward.

“In Plateau State, according to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, two out of every three children suffer from food poverty, meaning they lack access to the minimum dietary diversity needed for proper growth. Our goal with this dialogue is to mobilize awareness and foster government and community action to improve child nutrition outcomes,” she said.

Irene highlighted the significant consequences of malnutrition on cognitive and physical development, especially in the 6–23 months age range, which falls within the first 1,000 days of life, a scientifically proven window critical to lifelong development.

The nutrition specialist warned that failing to invest in nutrition carries steep costs for families and the country. “It costs ₦21,000 to prevent malnutrition, but more than ₦190,000 to treat it. The return on investment is clear for every $1 spent on nutrition, we get $16 in economic return,” Irene added, citing research from the World Bank and Lancet Series.

One of the key interventions spotlighted at the event was the introduction of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS)—a specialized supplement for enriching the diets of children during the complementary feeding period.

She explained that in 2024, Plateau State committed $200,000 to the Child Nutrition Fund, which was matched by UNICEF. The joint funding enabled the state to procure over 5,900 cartons of SQ-LNS for distribution.

Irene also revealed that discussions are underway to commence local production of SQ in Nigeria, a move aimed at reducing costs and creating jobs.

She emphasized that community awareness, sustained political will, and strategic government investments are vital in reversing the alarming trend of malnutrition. “This is not just a health issue, it is an economic and national development issue,” Irene said.

At the Township Primary Health Centre in Jos North, Halima Chantu, the acting officer-in-charge, leads the charge with hands-on education. “We give health talks every day during immunization and antenatal care. We teach them breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and local food prep,” she said.

Halima said that using locally available food is key. “Why spend money on packaged food when yam, sweet potato, and vegetables are right here? We teach them how to combine these. We even encourage them to grow spinach.”

Halima’s team monitors babies’ growth, checks weights, and follows up when signs of malnutrition appear. “We don’t stop at advice. We follow through,” she added.

The World Bank warns that stunting alone can reduce GDP, a stark reminder that malnutrition is not just a health issue, but a national development threat.

Across Jos and its neighboring communities, a quiet revolution is taking shape, one vegetable garden, one feeding demonstration, one mother at a time.

Mothers like Tabita and Cynthia are leading the way not with slogans, but with practice. Their message is clear: start early, feed right, and never underestimate the power of knowledge passed from one mother to another.

In a nation as young as Nigeria where nearly half the population is under 18, this revolution could shape the country’s destiny.

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BUK Emerges Top Performing Nigerian University In Global Ranking

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1 hour ago

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June 29, 2026

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Nigeria has reinforced its growing influence in global higher education as 24 universities secured places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, the highest representation by any country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The latest rankings place the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the country’s top-performing institutions. Nigeria also increased its representation in the global rankings from 21 universities in 2024 and 2025 to 24 universities in 2026, making it the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 federal universities, three state universities and four private universities, underscoring the increasing competitiveness of the country’s tertiary education sector across teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

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The rankings also reflect the growing recognition of specialised institutions, with several federal universities of technology and agriculture earning places, while state-owned universities continued to strengthen their global standing through improved academic performance and research output.

Reacting to the latest rankings, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s higher education sector, saying it reflects the positive outcomes of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s universities. He noted that the growing international recognition of Nigerian institutions underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming tertiary education into a catalyst for innovation, research, human capital development and sustainable national growth.

Pundits say the latest recognition is expected to boost the international profile of Nigerian universities, enhance opportunities for global collaborations, attract research funding and encourage sustained investment in quality teaching, innovation and institutional development across the country’s higher education landscape.

The 24 Nigerian universities that featured in the 2026 THE rankings are:

1. University of Ibadan

2. University of Lagos

3. Bayero University Kano

4. Covenant University

5. Landmark University

6. Ahmadu Bello University

7. Federal University of Technology, Minna

8. University of Ilorin

9. University of Jos

10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

11. Babcock University

12. Delta State University, Abraka

13. Ekiti State University

14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

15. Federal University of Technology, Akure

16. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

17. Federal University Oye-Ekiti

18. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

19. Lagos State University

20. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

21. Obafemi Awolowo University

22. University of Benin

23. University of Calabar

24. University of Port Harcourt

 

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PWD Groups Commend Waiya’s Inclusive Engagement, Urge Kano Government to Operationalise Disability Commission

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1 day ago

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June 28, 2026

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Commissioner Waiya addressing the Press during the session

 

 

Associations representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kano State have commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what they described as his commitment to inclusive governance while calling for the immediate implementation and take-off of the Kano State Disability Commission to strengthen disability inclusion and representation.

In a press release jointly signed by leaders of various disability associations in the state on Friday, the groups also praised the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, for what they described as his consistent engagement with disability organisations and efforts to ensure that their voices are reflected in government decision-making processes.

According to the statement, the associations said Waiya’s inclusive approach has strengthened confidence among members of the disability community and demonstrated the Kano State Government’s commitment to social justice, equal participation and inclusive governance.

The groups, however, expressed concern over what they described as persistent challenges in their relationship with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Disabilities, despite what they acknowledged as the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups in the state.

The associations stated that the ministry’s current approach does not adequately reflect Governor Yusuf’s vision of promoting the dignity, empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in governance. They warned that the situation could undermine the objectives for which the ministry was established.

According to the statement, the disability groups have on several occasions submitted formal complaints and observations to relevant authorities over what they described as poor treatment and inadequate engagement of recognised disability organisations by the ministry.

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The associations cited the recent distribution of Eid sacrificial cows donated by Governor Yusuf as one example of their concerns. They alleged that the items were distributed to selected individuals based on personal affiliations rather than through recognised disability leadership structures, which they said had been the established practice in previous interventions.

The statement noted that the development generated dissatisfaction among many members of the disability community across Kano State, adding that transparent engagement with recognised organisations would have promoted fairness and accountability.

Highlighting their grievances, the associations alleged that recognised disability organisations and representative bodies are frequently sidelined in decision-making processes and in the implementation of programmes directly affecting Persons with Disabilities in the state.

They also expressed concern over what they described as inadequate consultation with disability stakeholders during the design and implementation of policies, programmes and interventions targeted at Persons with Disabilities.

Furthermore, the groups alleged that legitimate umbrella bodies representing Persons with Disabilities are often excluded from important government engagements and the distribution of welfare packages, a situation they said weakens effective representation and participation.

According to the statement, the current situation is inconsistent with Governor Yusuf’s publicly stated commitment to inclusive governance and social protection for vulnerable groups, particularly Persons with Disabilities.

To address these concerns, the associations appealed to the Kano State Government to establish a high-powered committee to facilitate the implementation and operational take-off of the Kano State Disability Commission. They noted that similar commissions already exist in several states across Nigeria and have strengthened disability inclusion and rights protection.

The groups said an operational Disability Commission would provide a dedicated institutional framework for protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities, coordinating interventions, promoting accountability and ensuring the effective implementation of disability-inclusive policies across Kano State.

The associations expressed confidence that the establishment and operationalisation of the commission would significantly improve inclusion, service delivery, representation and accountability in matters affecting Persons with Disabilities.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the PWDs Association, Kano State, alongside cluster heads including Musa Muhammad Shaga of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Abdurrahman Uba Daushe of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association, Musa Muhammad Kura of the National Association of the Blind, Salisu Da’u Dawakin Kudu of the Lepers Association, Mariya Ishaq of the Albinism Association, Sani Babachanka of the Deaf Association, and Yahaya A. Yahaya of the Physically Challenged Association.

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NISO Announces Power Outage in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina for Grid Maintenance

Published

2 days ago

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June 27, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced a planned power interruption affecting Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states this Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In a statement posted via its X handle, NISO explained that the temporary outage is necessary to facilitate essential maintenance at the 330kV Kumbotso Substation, to be carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

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Describing the upgrade as a critical investment, the system operator noted that the exercise would strengthen the national grid, enhance transmission capacity, and improve the overall resilience of Nigeria’s power system—ultimately leading to better electricity supply for customers in the affected region.

NISO expressed regret over the inconvenience and appealed for patience, understanding, and cooperation from members of the public during the maintenance period.

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