The delegation, which included representatives from UNICEF, the European Union (EU), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and federal officials, arrived in Sokoto on Saturday to push for urgent intervention and increased funding in response to the alarming surge in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases.
The mission was led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Professor Nantewa Yilwatda, who described the situation as critical, citing the latest Nutrition SMART survey.
During a courtesy call to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the UNICEF Country Representative praised the state’s recent allocation of ₦500 million to fight malnutrition and announced a ₦1.5 billion counter-funding pledge by UNICEF. However, the agency stressed the need for sustainable, locally driven solutions to ensure long-term impact.
Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, also commended Sokoto State’s proactive efforts and reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting life-saving interventions for vulnerable children.
In an emotional address, Prof. Yilwatda recounted his own experience as an Internally Displaced Person, noting the deep connection between insecurity and food shortages.
“There can be no food security without peace,” he said. “Sokoto must leverage its agricultural potential to overcome hunger and improve child nutrition.”
Governor Aliyu expressed gratitude to partners for their continued support and reaffirmed his administration’s political commitment to ending child malnutrition in the state.
The delegation also toured the Sokoto State Specialist Hospital, where they witnessed the devastating impact of SAM on children and overstretched health workers. Health officials warned that the current supply of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) — a vital treatment for severely malnourished children — could run out by September, jeopardizing the lives of thousands.
Medical staff called for:
- Expansion of stabilisation centres,
- Creation of new treatment facilities in rural communities, and
- Immediate clearance of over 30 containers of RUTF currently stuck at Nigerian ports.
Prof. Yilwatda urged swift government action, saying:
“This is no time for bureaucracy. We must act fast to save lives.”
The mission concluded with a call for the Federal Government to unlock RUTF supply chains, scale up local food sourcing, and boost investment in community-level nutrition initiatives to build lasting resilience.