Malnutrition: Shettima leads delegation to Ethiopia for nutrition exchange

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, leading a Nigerian delegation to study how coordinated action across government, agriculture and community programmes can strengthen the country’s response to malnutrition.

The inaugural Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Visit, at the invitation of Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, will examine practical ways to link nutrition interventions across federal, state and local governments.

The exchange will explore Ethiopia’s government-led, multisectoral approach, bringing together health, agriculture, food production, economic planning, emergency management and subnational authorities.

The Nigerian delegation is expected to assess elements of the Ethiopian model that could improve the coordination and delivery of nutrition programmes at home.

During the visit, Shettima and other members of the delegation will engage Ethiopian officials and inspect agricultural and community initiatives designed to improve access to nutritious food and strengthen household livelihoods.

The programme includes visits to a wheat farm and banana plantation in Oromia, the “Bounty of the Basket” Training Centre and households in Mojo, as well as Jabdu Motors in Bishoftu.

The Presidency said the field visits would offer practical insights into the relationship between food production, livelihoods, food availability and nutrition, and show how policies are translated into interventions at community level.

The exchange will also focus on experiences in building a compact on nutrition across different levels of government, with lessons expected to inform Nigeria’s efforts to align policies and programmes across its three tiers.

Members of the delegation include Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal; Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; and Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar Abubakar.

Shettima is expected to return to Abuja after concluding his engagements in Addis Ababa.