The Nutrition 774 Initiative Strategic Board has adopted a domestic financing model as the cornerstone for sustainable nutrition funding in Nigeria, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s response to malnutrition and improve nutrition outcomes nationwide.

The decision was reached during the second High-Level Strategic Board Meeting of the Nutrition 774 Initiative held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

At the meeting, the board also directed the remaining 27 states that are yet to establish their State Councils on Nutrition to do so without delay. The Vice President stressed the importance of full state participation in driving the initiative and ensuring effective coordination of nutrition interventions across the country.

As part of measures to secure sustainable funding, the board mandated the Federal Ministry of Finance and other key stakeholders to commence extensive stakeholder engagement aimed at activating existing financing mechanisms for nutrition programmes.

The funding instruments identified include the Presidential Nutrition Intervention Fund (PNIF) and the ring-fenced Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) levy, which are expected to serve as critical sources of financing for nutrition-related interventions across Nigeria.

The board emphasized that strengthening domestic resource mobilization is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of nutrition programmes and reducing dependence on external funding sources.

Members also reviewed progress made in the implementation of the Nutrition 774 Initiative and highlighted its role as the primary governance framework for delivering nutrition interventions at scale across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

According to the board, the initiative remains central to efforts aimed at improving nutrition outcomes, enhancing coordination among stakeholders, and ensuring that nutrition services reach communities across all parts of the country.

The Nutrition 774 Initiative was established to provide a coordinated approach to tackling malnutrition and advancing nutrition development at the federal, state, and local government levels. Through its governance structure, the programme seeks to accelerate progress toward national nutrition targets and improve the health and well-being of Nigerians.