By Abdul Kareem

A strong push for a dedicated budget line for nutrition initiatives is underway as a coalition of civil society organizations, operating under the banner of Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (CS-SUNN), takes proactive steps to engage government agencies. 

On March 12, 2024, CS-SUNN, led by its dedicated state coordinator, Hajiya Aisha Maidala, visited the Ministry of Budget and Planning to advocate for the inclusion of a specific allocation for nutrition in the government’s budget.

During the visit, the CS-SUNN delegation, comprising passionate members, met with the Director of Budget to discuss the importance of creating a budget line solely dedicated to nutrition-related programs and interventions. The group was granted permission to conduct direct tracking of the 2024 budget to ascertain the presence and adequacy of allocations earmarked for nutrition-related endeavors within various ministries and MDAs.

In response to the advocacy efforts, Hajiya Aisha Maidala, the State Coordinator of CS-SUNN, emphasized the critical need for prioritizing nutrition funding in government budgets, stating, “Nutrition is a key determinant of the well-being of our communities, and it is essential that we have a clear budget line to address the nutritional needs of our people.

CS-SUNN Members during an advocacy session at the Borno State Ministry of Budget and Planning

“We are committed to working with government agencies to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to tackle malnutrition and improve the overall health outcomes in Borno state”

The Humanitarian Times is of the belief that the engagement between CS-SUNN and government officials signals a positive step towards addressing the nutrition challenges faced by the region and underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable development goals related to health and well-being.