It is said that if you want to know the real wealth of a nation, look at its children. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, this saying has become a bitter pill to swallow. Our children, the supposed future of Nigeria, are increasingly victims of malnutrition. The issue is widespread, persistent, and alarmingly dangerous, but like most problems in Nigeria, it gets swept under the carpet until it becomes an emergency.
Now, before we get into the serious matter of child malnutrition, let’s understand what it really means. When we talk about malnutrition, we’re not just talking about children not eating enough food. It’s bigger than that. Malnutrition means that children are not getting the right nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they need to grow and develop properly. It’s about quality, not just quantity. And the scary part? Millions of Nigerian children are not getting this quality.
What does the data say?
According to UNICEF, one in every three Nigerian children under the age of five is stunted due to malnutrition. Stunted. That means their growth is severely affected, both physically and mentally. Imagine a whole generation that isn’t growing to their full potential, not just in height, but in brain power too. It’s like having a phone that’s always running on low battery — no matter what you do, it just won’t work as well as it should.
We’re not even talking about underweight children yet, who make up about 19% of our population under five. And wasting — which means children are dangerously thin for their height — is affecting another 7%. These aren’t just numbers. These are children. Tiny, innocent Nigerian children who don’t know why their stomachs ache, why they are too weak to play, or why they can’t concentrate in school.
Why are we here?
You may wonder, how did we get here? How did a nation with vast natural resources end up with a malnutrition crisis? The answer is as complex as Nigeria itself.
First, let’s point fingers at poverty. Yes, that old devil. Over 40% of Nigerians live below the poverty line. If the parents are struggling to eat one square meal a day, what hope does a child have for a balanced diet? As it is often said, “You can’t give what you don’t have.”
Next up, we have poor breastfeeding practices. Despite the noise about exclusive breastfeeding, many mothers are not able to follow through due to ignorance, cultural beliefs, or a lack of support. Some mothers feed their newborns water or pap within the first few weeks of life. Pap! As if a few tablespoons of watery cornmeal will do anything for a growing child.
Then there’s our broken healthcare system. Many families don’t have access to basic health services or proper nutritional advice. When was the last time you heard of a community healthcare centre doing routine nutritional checks? Exactly. Even in cities, many people are too busy hustling to focus on the food pyramid. They just want to get by.
And how can we forget our agricultural sector? For a country that prides itself on being the “giant of Africa,” food prices are skyrocketing faster than an okada in traffic. Tomatoes, eggs, fish, beans — basic food items are now luxuries. How will families feed their children balanced diets when they can’t even afford basic ingredients?
What are the consequences?
The consequences of malnutrition in children are long-lasting and devastating. Apart from the obvious physical effects like stunted growth and wasting, malnourished children often suffer cognitive delays. This means that even if they go to school, they may not be able to learn as quickly as their well-nourished peers. Nigeria is trying to build its economy, but how do we expect to compete on a global stage when our future workforce is already starting off at a disadvantage?
The health implications are also severe. Malnourished children are more susceptible to diseases like malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia. If you’ve ever seen a child suffer from any of these illnesses, you’ll understand how painful it is — not just for the child, but for the family. And when malnutrition is involved, these diseases often lead to death. This isn’t just a statistic to glance over. It’s a heartbreaking reality for too many Nigerian families.
Can we fix this?
As they say in Nigeria, “Na condition make crayfish bend.” But it doesn’t have to be this way. The malnutrition crisis is not an unsolvable problem. The first step is admitting we have a problem and prioritizing it. Government intervention is crucial, but we all know how that goes. We cannot keep waiting for “big government” while our children suffer.
The Nigerian government, through its Ministry of Health and other bodies, must prioritize child nutrition programs, particularly in rural areas where malnutrition is most rampant. We need real investment in maternal and child health services, food security, and agricultural development. Remember the saying, “If you want to go far, go together”? Well, we need every hand on deck for this one.
What can we do as a community?
We Nigerians have always been known for looking out for one another. In our villages and towns, we help our neighbors. So, let’s bring that spirit back. Communities can organize local nutritional programs. Religious bodies can provide not just spiritual food, but physical nourishment for children in need. Schools should be places where children not only learn but are fed properly too. After all, how can a child solve math problems on an empty stomach?
Local businesses can also play a role. Maybe it’s time for Nigerian companies to start thinking about how they can give back. How about partnering with NGOs to provide free or affordable nutritious meals to children? We don’t need to wait for foreign aid to solve our problems.
Parents too must educate themselves about proper nutrition. There’s no excuse. In the age of social media, where people can watch TikToks and Instagram reels all day, they can certainly find time to learn how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget.
Our children deserve better. They deserve to grow up strong, healthy, and full of life. We must take action now to end this malnutrition crisis. If not, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Let’s remember that when it comes to children, you cannot “manage” their nutrition the way we “manage” bad roads or electricity. Children need the right food, at the right time. No shortcuts. If we all do our part, maybe one day, we’ll truly be able to say that Nigeria’s wealth is in its children — healthy, happy, and well-fed.
