The Niger State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has launched the N-25 Initiative to strengthen grassroots efforts to combat malnutrition and improve maternal and child health across the state’s 25 Local Government Areas.
The initiative was unveiled during a sensitisation and orientation meeting organised by the Niger State Planning Commission in Minna. It is aligned with the broader N-774 national framework and seeks to translate nutrition priorities into coordinated and sustainable interventions at the local government level.
The Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Planning Commission, Hajiya A’isha Usman, urged LGA chairmen to demonstrate strong political commitment by supporting nutrition focal persons and strengthening structures that deliver nutrition services to women, children and households.
The Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency stressed that tackling malnutrition required coordinated action across health, agriculture, education and other sectors. UNICEF Nutrition State Facilitator, A’isha Kallamu, also reaffirmed the organisation’s support for grassroots mobilisation and stronger multi-sectoral nutrition programmes.
The initiative will focus on clear operational goals, effective budgeting and service delivery, data-driven accountability, and regular monitoring and review. The programme is expected to strengthen local government ownership of nutrition interventions, particularly for pregnant women, mothers and children under five during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
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