Niger Governor’s Wife Calls for Increased Funding, Stronger Action on Nutrition
The Wife of the Governor of Niger State, Fatima Mohammed Bago, has called for renewed commitment, increased funding, and deliberate action to improve food and nutrition outcomes across the state.
She made the call while delivering a keynote address at the Q1 2026 Joint State and Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition Review Meeting held on April 8 in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by her Chief Press Secretary, Hadiza Abdullahi Maikano, the First Lady described the meeting as a vital platform for assessing progress and strengthening collective efforts to tackle malnutrition.
Bago commended the Niger State Planning Commission, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, for organizing the review session, stressing that nutrition remains fundamental to human capital development.
She noted that a well-nourished child is better equipped to learn and contribute meaningfully to society but expressed concern over the continued prevalence of malnutrition, particularly among women and children in the state.
The Governor’s wife also praised Governor Umar Mohammed Bago for prioritising agriculture, food security, and nutrition, adding that his administration’s vision extends beyond food production to ensuring access to balanced and nutritious meals for all households.
“As an advocate for women and children, this issue is very close to my heart. We must be intentional about nutrition at every level, especially within our homes and communities,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to evaluate existing interventions and adopt a multi-sectoral approach involving health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, and social protection sectors.
Bago further called on Local Government Chairmen to prioritise nutrition programmes and ensure adequate funding to support implementation at the grassroots.
Participants at the meeting, including development partners and representatives of civil society groups such as the Nigerian Red Cross Society, highlighted challenges including inadequate funding and called for improved budgetary releases.
Key resolutions from the meeting included advocacy for timely funding, promotion of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), and alignment of programmes with available resources for greater impact.
The Governor’s wife expressed optimism about achieving food security in the state, envisioning a future where no child goes hungry and every household has access to nutritious meals.
The meeting was attended by Local Government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders in the nutrition sector.
Niger Governor’s Wife Calls for Increased Funding, Stronger Action on Nutrition