How Jigawa Is Combating Malnutrition, Empowering Women

Utilising locally available resources is one of the most sustainable mechanisms to address societal challenges, particularly in the nutrition sector.

For years, Jigawa State has grappled with high rates of child malnutrition and stunting. Various approaches have been implemented in collaboration with UNICEF, Action Against Hunger, and other local and international partners to combat this problem.

If left untreated, malnutrition leads to stunting, negatively affecting a child’s growth, mental development, and overall health, often resulting in permanent disability or premature death.

In Jigawa State, as in other regions, two major approaches have been employed to combat child malnutrition and stunting:  “Specific and Sensitive” interventions.

The “Specific” approach involves admitting severely malnourished children to hospitals or providing them with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).

For over a decade, UNICEF was the primary supplier of RUTF, which was distributed across more than 71 “Community Management of Acute Malnutrition ” (CMAM) centres in the state.

Initially, RUTF was imported, but Dangote Foods Company began local production in Nigeria in recent years. This development has eased procurement challenges, improved availability, and provided wider coverage.

The Sensitive approach educates nursing mothers and childbearing-age women on preparing balanced diets for children using locally available foods, tailored to their age. This is known as the “Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programme.

Jigawa State has domesticated and expanded this initiative under the “Masaki” programme.

The Masaki programme has proven effective in preventing child malnutrition and stunting, with women of childbearing age across all 27 local government areas receiving training.

According to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), this initiative has contributed to a decline in malnutrition rates, from 64% in 2018 to 55.5% in 2024.

To further strengthen the fight against malnutrition, Governor Umar Namadi approved the training of 600 women in producing “Tom Brown,” a locally sourced nutritional formula that serves as an effective alternative for preventing and treating moderately malnourished children.

Tom Brown, composed of natural ingredients, has no adverse effects and can serve as a complementary food to enhance child nutrition.

This approach is sustainable, as all components are readily available in local markets. It could enable mass production and reduce reliance on RUTF.

While Tom Brown cannot fully replace RUTF, it can reduce dependence by over 70%, preventing many children from progressing to severe acute malnutrition.

Beyond its health benefits, the initiative offers economic empowerment, enabling trained women to generate income and even employ others.

Governor Namadi described the programme as a homegrown solution addressing both child malnutrition and women’s economic challenges.

“Tom Brown, also called Kwashpap, has been proven effective in managing moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) using locally available ingredients like millet, groundnut, and soybeans,” he said.

The governor expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating that it kills several birds with one stone,” empowering women, combating malnutrition, and preventing cognitive impairments in children.”

The initiative aligns with Jigawa’s broader nutritional policies, which have already yielded progress, as reflected in the 2024 NDHS report.

Each of the 600 beneficiaries received starter packages, including sealing machines and raw materials, to begin local production.

The state government equally directed local government chairmen to collaborate with the state Primary Healthcare Agency to purchase commodities directly from the trained women.

Governor Namadi warned against compromising production quality, emphasising adherence to health standards.

Mr Sa”idu Umar, the governor’s special adviser on child nutrition, affirmed the program’s sustainability, with plans to collaborate with relevant agencies to maintain quality.

“Our goal is not only to eradicate child malnutrition but also to position Jigawa as a hub for local and international production of this formula,” he said.

Comrade Shaaibu Musa Kafin Gana, chairman of the Jigawa Coalition of Civil Society on Nutrition (JICCON), praised the initiative, calling it a ‘game-changer’ in reducing malnutrition and stunting rates.

” Tom Brown is a multi-purpose, nutritious, and affordable solution made from locally sourced ingredients. If this initiative is properly implemented and monitored, it will significantly impact the state’s long-standing malnutrition challenges,” he said.

He also urged the government to subsidise production for broader accessibility beyond the distribution of healthcare facilities.

Governor Namadi, who is the epitome of good governance, has also taken this initiative to underscore his commitment to the survival and well-being of children, women, and the entire people of the state.