The United Nations Children’s Fund raised an alarm on Tuesday over a worsening malnutrition crisis in northwestern Nigeria, warning that more than 500,000 children across Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states are at risk of severe wasting.
This follows the presentation of findings from the 2025 Nutrition SMART Survey at a dissemination workshop held in Sokoto, where stakeholders gathered to review the region’s nutrition outlook and chart a response.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Edward Kotundo said the data reveal a troubling prevalence of acute malnutrition among children under five, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
According to him, “wasting affects 11 per cent of children in Sokoto and Kebbi, while Zamfara records 8.5 per cent—placing the first two states in the “high prevalence” category and Zamfara at a “medium level,” but still of serious concern.
Kotundo further disclosed that the survey found a “very high” rate of stunting across all three states, highlighting widespread chronic malnutrition and long-term nutritional deprivation among children.
He noted that the findings are consistent with the October 2025 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Acute Malnutrition analysis, which projected that over half a million children could become severely wasted if urgent interventions are not implemented.
“The data clearly shows that this is not just a health issue but a development emergency that requires coordinated, multisectoral action,” Kotundo said.
Representing the UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, Michael Juma, he commended government agencies and development partners for their collaboration in conducting the survey, stressing that credible data is key to effective planning and response.
Also speaking, the Director of Medical Services at the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Muhammad Abubakar Kaura, described Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara as sharing similar cultural and socio-economic realities, underscoring the need for a unified regional approach to tackling malnutrition.
He acknowledged UNICEF’s continued support in strengthening primary healthcare systems, particularly in maternal and child health services.
Participants at the workshop included state nutrition officers, officials from ministries of information and budget and planning, state bureaus of statistics, security agencies, and development partners such as Médecins Sans Frontières and Action Against Hunger.
Stakeholders, in separate goodwill messages, praised UNICEF’s interventions and expressed optimism that the survey findings would guide more targeted nutrition programmes and policies.
They also called for sustained partnerships and increased investment to address the root causes of malnutrition, including food insecurity, poverty, and limited access to healthcare.
The one-day workshop focused on translating data into action, with participants emphasising the need to scale up life-saving nutrition interventions and strengthen community-based responses to curb the growing crisis.