Rising food, fuel costs driving child malnutrition, says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denounced Nigeria's escalating child malnutrition crisis, attributing it to surging food, transportation, and energy costs. Atiku emphasized that economic hardship is making it increasingly difficult for families to ensure proper nutrition for their children. According to recent figures, 41.1% of Nigerian children under five are stunted, with 58.2% in the North-West experiencing stunting.

The Nutrition Society of Nigeria reported nearly two million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with only 20% receiving treatment. Atiku highlighted the impact of high food and energy costs on families struggling to make ends meet, stating that a child only knows if there is food on the table. He proposed a production subsidy for Nigerian-produced and refined petroleum, aiming to reduce energy and transportation costs while bolstering domestic production.

Atiku stressed that economic policy must prioritize the affordability of living for ordinary Nigerians, warning against the consequences of economic reforms on households.