The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has urged women leaders to sustain advocacy for improved nutrition financing and services across the state.
Balarabe made the call on Tuesday at the Women in Power Conference 2026 held in Kaduna, organised by the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission.
The conference was supported by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and focused on strengthening women’s leadership in nutrition advocacy.
The deputy governor said the recognition of women as Kaduna State Nutrition Champions should be seen as a call to service, rather than a personal achievement.
She said leadership should be measured by the lives positively impacted and the difference made in society, rather than titles or positions occupied.
Balarabe conveyed Gov. Uba Sani’s felicitations to participants and assured that the administration would sustain leadership in nutrition financing and related health activities.
According to her, nutrition is fundamental to human capital development because well-nourished children have better opportunities to grow, learn and realise their potential.
She said investment in nutrition was therefore an investment in the future of Kaduna State and Nigeria.
The deputy governor said Kaduna recorded 82 per cent vitamin A supplementation coverage during the June 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.
She added that 79 per cent coverage was recorded for mid-upper arm circumference screening during the exercise.
Balarabe said 30,089 children across the state’s 23 local government areas were treated for severe acute malnutrition in 2025.
She attributed the achievements to collaboration among government, communities, development partners, health workers and civil society organisations.
The deputy governor, however, said the progress recorded should not lead to complacency, as malnutrition continued to threaten children’s potential.
She described the Kaduna State 2026 to 2030 Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan as an opportunity to consolidate gains.
According to her, the plan will strengthen coordination and ensure nutrition remains integrated into government planning, budgeting and implementation.
Balarabe stressed the need for predictable resources, effective implementation, accountability and measurable outcomes to achieve sustainable nutrition results.
She said the state government remained committed to adequate health and nutrition financing under the leadership of Gov. Uba Sani.
The deputy governor said women had important roles in improving maternal and child nutrition as mothers, caregivers, health workers, advocates and public officials.
She called for strengthened efforts in anaemia prevention, exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, maternal nutrition and access to essential nutrition services.
Balarabe pledged continued advocacy for stronger political commitment, public awareness, sustainable financing and effective coordination among stakeholders.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Muktar Ahmad, said nutrition was not merely a health sector concern but an investment in human capital, education and economic productivity.
He said the commission would continue supporting evidence-based planning, effective resource allocation and coordination among sectors to improve nutrition outcomes.
The commissioner commended CS-SUNN for supporting the initiative and promoting collaboration between government and civil society on nutrition.
He urged the newly recognised Nutrition Champions to advocate for increased financing, anaemia prevention, improved access to services and stronger community engagement.
Jessica Bartholomew, National Chairperson, CS SUNN Steering Committee, said the conference recognised women who had influenced nutrition policies and interventions in Kaduna.
Bartholomew commended Gov. Uba Sani for his commitment to nutrition, saying Kaduna had recorded a seven-to-eight per cent reduction in stunting over five years.
She said CS-SUNN would continue advocating for stronger action against wasting, underweight, stunting and anaemia.
Bartholomew said the recognition also gave the women a responsibility to ensure women’s voices were heard in nutrition-related decision-making.
Dr Zainab Idris, National President, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), described her recognition as an honour that would motivate her to do more.
Idris said she had contributed to nutrition policy development at national and state levels and interventions aimed at improving the wellbeing of women and children.
She said Kaduna had made significant investments in nutrition interventions, with support from partners including UNICEF, World Bank, Save The Children and CS-SUNN.
The MWAN president described Kaduna as a state from which other states could learn, adding that continued investment could further improve nutrition outcomes.
She expressed optimism that future nutrition surveys would show further improvement based on current interventions and investments.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference brought together government officials, women leaders, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen commitment to nutrition in Kaduna State.
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