FCT-CFN SEEKS IMPROVED TRACKING OF MALNUTRITION CASES

By: Prudence Okonna

The FCT Committee on Food and Nutrition (FCT-CFN) has called for improved tracking and reporting of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases across the Federal Capital Territory to strengthen monitoring and improve nutrition service delivery.

The call was made at the committee’s third-quarter meeting and capacity-building session held on Friday, October 23, 2026.

The committee urged stakeholders to ensure that verified cases of severe Accute Malnutrition (SAM) and their outcomes are properly documented in the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), alongside improved reporting of programme targets, achievements and coverage.

The meeting brought together representatives of UNICEF, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Evidence Action, Jhpiego, Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), as well as nutrition focal officers in SDAs, Area Council representatives and other stakeholders.

The Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public-Private Partnership (EPRGPPP) and Chairman of the FCT-CFN, Arc. Ubokutom Nyah, expressed the FCTA’s appreciation to UNICEF for its sustained technical assistance and support for nutrition coordination in the Territory.

Speaking on behalf of the Mandate Secretary, the Overseeing Permanent Secretary, EPRGPPP, Uba A. Bala, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with UNICEF, JICA, CS-SUNN and other development partners to improve access to sufficient, safe, nutritious and affordable food, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Nyah noted that malnutrition remained a challenge with far-reaching consequences for public health, educational attainment and economic productivity. He stressed the need for a coordinated, multisectoral approach involving health services, food systems, social protection, water, sanitation and hygiene.

He explained that the meeting was convened to assess third-quarter progress, evaluate implementation across FCT Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs), and identify challenges requiring attention ahead of the fourth quarter.

He urged committee members to share field experiences and propose practical solutions, particularly for women, children, adolescents and other vulnerable groups.

In her closing remarks, the Director of Food and Nutrition, Celina Gaza Oluwafemi, acknowledged UNICEF’s contribution to the committee’s activities and commended JICA, Jhpiego and other partners for their continued support.

She also appreciated representatives of relevant Secretariats, Departments and Agencies, as well as Area Councils, for their participation, emphasising their shared responsibility in improving nutrition outcomes across the Territory.

The committee further urged SDAs and Area Councils to submit their 2026/2027 nutrition work plans, improve the distribution and monitoring of nutrition commodities, and strengthen services for vulnerable groups. It also called for greater attention to food-system interventions and coordinated public awareness activities ahead of Nigeria Nutrition Week.

Abuja Digest reports that the meeting reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration among the FCTA, Area Councils and development partners in strengthening nutrition interventions and improving outcomes for residents across the Territory.