The United Nations Children’s Fund has expressed deep concern over the nutritional crisis in Kano State, revealing that 51.9 per cent of children suffer from stunted growth.
This alarming statistic was disclosed by UNICEF Chief of Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahma Farah, during the official handover of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food in Takai Local Government Area.
Farah, represented by UNICEF Health Manager Dr. Serekeberehan Deres, explained that the figure indicates one in every two Kano children fails to develop properly due to chronic malnutrition. He further disclosed that over 10 per cent of children in the state exhibit wasting—a severe condition where children become dangerously thin for their height due to acute malnutrition.
“The health manager warned that wasting significantly increases the risk of death if not treated promptly, adding that child malnutrition remains a major public health concern that requires urgent attention from all stakeholders,” the statement noted. Farah emphasized the critical need for increased investment in nutrition interventions, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, describing such investments as “one of the most cost-effective interventions for national development.”
The RUTF supplies were procured through a joint government-UNICEF Child Nutrition Match Fund initiative. Farah called for collaborative action among government agencies, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders to improve access to nutrition services, education, clean water, and healthcare.
Kano State Commissioner for Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling malnutrition, citing recently launched maternal and child health programs.
“Labaran promised that the state would continue to partner with UNICEF and other development partners to reduce malnutrition rates and improve child survival and development indicators,” the report stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria highlighted that malnutrition remains a leading cause of child mortality and poor educational outcomes in northern Nigeria.
