The Kukah Centre (TKC), a Nigerian policy research institute, has enlisted religious leaders to advocate for better nutrition, particularly as the country faces economic challenges that exacerbate malnutrition. This initiative, led by TKC Executive Director Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, was highlighted at a one- day event titled " Faith Influencers Leading the Way: Transforming Nutrition for a Healthier Nigeria, " held in Abuja. Organized by TKC in partnership with the Sultan Foundation and supported by the World Bank' s Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) initiative, the event underscored the role of faith leaders in combating malnutrition.
The dialogue aimed to address Nigeria' s enduring malnutrition crisis by leveraging the influence of religious leaders to promote nutritional awareness and healthier eating habits. According to Barkindo, faith leaders possess significant sway over their communities, making them effective advocates for encouraging healthy lifestyles and sound financial decisions related to food choices. " Sometimes, the issue is not a lack of resources but rather poor resource management and misguided values. Our goal is to educate Nigerians on how to spend wisely and make healthier food choices, " he explained.
Malnutrition remains a severe problem in Nigeria, particularly among children under five, with 37 percent experiencing stunted growth due to poor nutrition. This issue worsens as children grow, with stunting rates rising to 47 percent for those aged 24- 35 months. To address this, TKC' s Project Officer, Ms. Anna Swanta, emphasized that the ANRiN project, launched in 2018, aims to expand access to affordable nutrition services for vulnerable groups, including pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and young children. The project encourages better maternal and child health practices by offering nutrition- sensitive antenatal care and utilizing Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) to motivate the provision of essential services.
The dialogue explored how faith leaders could lead change by promoting nutrition- focused interventions and influencing policies aimed at reducing Nigeria' s malnutrition rates. Swanta noted, " Faith leaders hold unique positions of trust, making them pivotal in driving community- wide behavioral changes. This initiative gives them a platform to advocate for improved maternal and child nutrition and emphasize the importance of healthy feeding practices. "
Ms. Asabe Ndahi, TKC' s Project Manager, highlighted the significance of family and religious leadership in promoting good nutrition. She stressed the importance of experienced mothers passing down knowledge to younger generations and instilling values that prioritize health and nutrition. The initiative also encouraged participants to become advocates for breastfeeding, pregnancy health, and overall child development.
In addition to raising awareness, religious leaders who attended the event plan to launch advocacy campaigns at both state and local government levels. These campaigns aim to enhance public understanding of the consequences of poor nutrition and the steps necessary to improve it. TKC is committed to providing ongoing support to ensure the effective implementation of these strategies. The outcomes of the dialogue will also be shared with government agencies and development partners to foster broader collaboration.
Through this effort, TKC and its partners hope to harness the considerable influence of faith leaders to drive meaningful changes in Nigeria' s nutrition landscape, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for women and children across the country.
