The Paediatric Association of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the alarming rate of malnutrition among children in Nigeria, stating that it is a direct or underlying factor in about 45 per cent of childhood deaths in the country.
According to the President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, Professor Ekanem Ekure, “The burden of malnutrition in Nigerian children is alarming as it reflects in a direct manner, the state of the national economy.”
She made this disclosure on Tuesday in Gombe State, at the 56th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria with support from International Paediatric Association.
Our correspondent reports that the theme for 2025 AGM is ‘Intersectoral collaboration in advancing child health and development’.
The Professor of Paediatrics and Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist noted that the recent challenges of low exchange rates, high cost of fuel, and low wages have jointly reduced the financial capability of many families, leading to low food security and inadequate food supply. “With low family finances, food security dwindles, food supply becomes inadequate, and children bear the brunt,” she said.
The association president stated that the proportion of under-five children with stunting had increased from 37 per cent in 2018 to 40 per cent in 2023, which is the highest prevalence rate in the world. “Stunting reflects prolonged starvation and it has several far-reaching consequences such as increased risk of death, poor cognitive development among survivors, poor school performances, low productivity in adulthood, and ultimately, low contributions to the national economy,” Ekure explained.
Furthermore, Ekure noted that children with borderline nutritional status, known as underweight, increased from 22 per cent in 2018 to 27 per cent in 2023, reflecting that more children are at risk of severe malnutrition, saying “About two million Nigerian children reportedly suffered from severe acute malnutrition, a major killer of under-five children, in 2023.”
Ekure attributed the increasing burden of malnutrition in Nigerian children to reduced farming activities as a result of climatic challenges, natural disasters such as flooding, and insecurity.
She also emphasised the importance of appropriate breastfeeding practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, in laying the foundation for good childhood nutrition. However, she noted that the exclusive breastfeeding rate remains abysmally low among Nigerian children less than six months of age, stagnating at 29 per cent from 2018 to 2023, adding “Improving the finances of the family may have a positive strong impact on the prospects of exclusive breastfeeding as well as infant nutrition among Nigerian children.”
Ekure noted that despite the fact that primary or basic education is free and compulsory in Nigeria, only 67 per cent of young children are enrolled in schools. “One out of every five children who are out-of-school in the world is in Nigeria. Unfortunately, girls are worse affected, just as the global child bride populations are concentrated in Africa,” she said.
The association president called on parents to be enlightened about the rights of the child to good nutrition, good healthcare, and basic education. He also urged the government to ensure safety and adequate protection of children in the community.
