By Abu Faisal

In a concerted drive to advocate for a dedicated budget line for nutrition initiatives in Northern Nigeria, the coalition of civil society organizations under the umbrella of Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has expanded its engagement to include the Ministries of Education and Agriculture. 

Led by the committed state coordinator, Hajiya Aisha Maidala, the group recently visited the Ministry of Education to emphasize the importance of allocating specific funds for nutrition-related programs in government budgets.

During the visit, the CS-SUNN delegation, accompanied by Hajiya Aisha Maidala, was warmly received by the Directors of Budget and Planning at the Ministry of Education. The officials provided the group with all necessary budget documents, enabling them to conduct thorough tracking of the 2024 budget and assess the allocations designated for nutrition-focused initiatives within the education sector.

Speaking on the significance of advocating for a dedicated nutrition budget line, Hajiya Aisha Maidala, the State Coordinator of CS-SUNN, reiterated the importance of prioritizing nutrition funding in government budgets.

She stated, “Nutrition plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of our communities, and we must secure a separate budget line to address the nutritional needs of our population. By engaging with government agencies such as the Ministry of Education, we aim to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to combat malnutrition and enhance health outcomes in Northern Nigeria.”

CS-SUNN at the office of the Director of Budget Ministry of Agriculture, Borno

Similar message was delivered at the ministry of agriculture where the team met with the Director of Budget and Planning with her team of officials where the team tracked the ministry’s 2024 budget to ascertain the inclusion of a budget line for nutrition. 

As CS-SUNN continues its advocacy for a dedicated nutrition budget line, stakeholders are optimistic that these ongoing engagements will result in tangible actions that prioritize the nutritional well-being of communities in Northern Nigeria. 

“The involvement of multiple government ministries signals a coordinated approach towards enhancing nutrition outcomes and advancing sustainable development goals related to health and well-being in the region,” the deputy State Coordinator, Borno CS-SUNN, Comrade Yusuf Tom, told our reporter in a brief interview.