Stakeholders hail project’s impact as dissemination event holds in Abuja

Key government officials and development partners on Thursday commended the achievements of the Accelerating the Scale of Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (ASMIYCN) project during a dissemination event organised by FHI 360 in Abuja. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Dr. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, described the project as a model for effective […]

Key government officials and development partners on Thursday commended the achievements of the Accelerating the Scale of Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (ASMIYCN) project during a dissemination event organised by FHI 360 in Abuja.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Dr. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, described the project as a model for effective government–partner collaboration, noting that its work in seven states since 2022 demonstrates “what we aim to accomplish” in improving maternal and child nutrition.

“What this means for the Government of Nigeria is that when we have partners willing and able to work effectively with the federal government, aligning their agenda with our national priorities, it becomes a critical asset,” she said.

She added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring that interventions “reach the grassroots—driven by and rooted in the communities themselves.”

Country Representative of FHI 360, Dr. Victor Ogbodo, highlighted progress recorded over the past four years, including strengthened nutrition policies, expanded access to micronutrient supplements for pregnant women, and improved service delivery at primary healthcare levels.

He praised the partnership of federal and state institutions as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, saying, “Your vision, guidance, and investment have been the cornerstone of this initiative.”

Ogbodo urged stakeholders to maintain momentum: “The gains we have made must not only endure but expand. This requires continued collaboration, resource mobilization, and policy leadership.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, also applauded Alive & Thrive’s work, saying the organisation has consistently supported vulnerable mothers and children across high-burden states.

“Over the past four years, they have dedicated their resources and mobilized additional support to implement nutrition programs,” he said.

He noted that parliament is deepening collaboration with ministries, agencies and civil society to ensure interventions reach the grassroots.

Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, outlined the project’s tangible impact in the state, citing improvements in facilities, staff training, community engagement, and access to commodities.

He said the Durum Primary Healthcare Centre, upgraded and equipped through Alive & Thrive, “is recognized as a center of excellence for maternal and young child nutrition in Nigeria.”

According to him, the organisation also helped establish functional Food and Nutrition Committees in 15 of 20 LGAs and supported the dissemination of the Bauchi State Nutrition Policy.

Mohammed added that the project played a crucial role in advocacy that led to the approval of six-month maternity leave in the state, as well as matching-grant arrangements that expanded access to multiple micronutrient supplements.