Every child deserves a healthy start in life. Yet, in many parts of the world, this remains a distant dream. Malnutrition, limited access to healthcare, and economic hardship prevent millions of children from reaching their full potential.
As we mark World Health Day 2025, this year’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” reminds us that investing in children’s health today is the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities tomorrow. In Nigeria, where 33% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition (stunting) and 60% of the population lacks access to essential health services, the urgency of this conversation cannot be overstated.
Malnutrition is a silent crisis, robbing children of the ability to grow, learn, and thrive. In Northern Nigeria, where food insecurity and poverty are widespread, children often do not receive the nutrients they need for proper brain and body development. According to UNICEF, 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition every year, yet only a fraction receive the treatment they need.
Lack of proper nutrition in early childhood not only affects health but also influences future economic prospects. Malnourished children are more likely to perform poorly in school, struggle with productivity in adulthood, and experience long-term health issues.
AYGF’s Commitment to Healthy Beginnings
At Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), we recognize that health and nutrition are inseparable. A child who lacks proper nourishment is more vulnerable to infections, diseases, and developmental delays. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to bridge the gap in access to essential nutrition and healthcare.
Through our partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), we are delivering life-saving nutrition to 79,920 vulnerable individuals in Katsina State, Nigeria. Our General Food Assistance – Cash-Based Transfer (GFA-CBT) project provides targeted food assistance, ensuring that families, especially pregnant women and young children, receive the nutrients they need to thrive. By supporting households with cash-based assistance, we empower families to make dietary choices that suit their nutritional needs while also boosting local markets.
In addition to emergency food assistance, AYGF is a key implementing partner in the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project, a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at tackling malnutrition through large-scale, community-driven interventions. So far, our work under ANRIN has:
- Delivered over 3.5 million essential health and nutrition services across Katsina, Kogi, and Niger States.
- Provided Vitamin A supplementation and deworming to children under five, boosting immunity and preventing infections.
- Offered maternal and infant nutrition counseling to thousands of women, ensuring newborns receive adequate breastfeeding and early nutrition.
- Supplied iron and folic acid supplementation to pregnant women to reduce risks of anemia and birth complications.
- Distributed zinc and oral rehydration therapy (ORS) to treat diarrhea, a leading cause of death among children under five.
These interventions go beyond numbers, they translate to stronger immune systems, healthier pregnancies, and lower child mortality rates.
Good nutrition is a long-term investment in healthier societies. When children receive balanced diets rich in proteins, vitamins, and essential minerals, they are less likely to suffer from preventable diseases like anemia, weakened immunity, and cognitive impairments.
A well-nourished child is better equipped to learn in school, grow into a productive adult, and contribute meaningfully to their community. This is why AYGF’s approach to tackling malnutrition is holistic, combining food security, nutrition education, and sustainable diet strategies to break the cycle of poverty and ill health.
As we observe World Health Day 2025, AYGF remains committed to Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures. Through partnerships, community engagement, and evidence-based interventions, we are not only fighting malnutrition but also laying the groundwork for a healthier, more prosperous Nigeria.
A child nourished today is a leader empowered tomorrow. The time to act is now.
