The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that at least 3.5 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe malnutrition. UNICEF Field Operations, Chief Judith Leveille, states that 400,000 children risk death from preventable causes within one month and eight days.
The information was revealed on Tuesday, in Abuja, during a press briefing focused on EU support for Benue crisis victims. Leveille noted that Nigeria will encounter a stock shortage of nutrition commodities with the recent development by September 1, 2025.
Following this, she calls on all forces to prevent the depletion of nutrition commodities used to treat acute malnutrition. She emphasized that the children’s lives matter because among them are scientists, great Nigerian musicians, great actors, and much more.
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Leveille continued that through instant and prepared therapeutic food, Nigeria can prevent the death of children. The UNICEF boss described the situation as critical, emphasizing the need to take the issue with prompt measures.
Leveille expressed that UNICEF needs skilled personnel, essential medicines and funding to achieve the organisation’s objectives. Reaffirming this, Camilla Higgins, disclosed that the 3.5million children are equivalent to 60 times the national stadium in Abuja.
The Nigerian INGO director demands urgent intervention and coordinated action by the government to prevent the children’s deaths. She continued that the intervention and coordination will be met with total support from UNICEF and non-government organisations.
Reacting to this, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, pledged full support for international and non-governmental organizations.
He stressed that the ministry’s goal is to enhance transparency and accountability for strengthening local and international collaboration. He concluded by emphasizing the government’s goal to have productive outcomes with its collaborative partners, through transparency and traceable measures.
