‘Nutrition Is Central To Human Capital Development’

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has identified nutrition as a vital element in his administration's development plans due to its role in helping children reach their full potential. Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Deputy Governor, elaborated that nourished children have a greater chance of growing, learning, and surviving. In her capacity as a medical doctor, she reinforced the idea that investing in nutrition is not merely about health, but also about securing the future of the state and the nation.

At the Women In Power Conference 2026, Dr Balarabe highlighted Kaduna State's commitment to nutrition financing and related health activities. She reported that in the June 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, the state achieved an 82 per cent Vitamin A supplementation coverage and a 79 per cent coverage for Mid-Upper Arm Circumference screening. In 2025, the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition program treated 30,089 children across the 23 Local Government Areas for severe acute malnutrition.

Dr Balarabe emphasized that these accomplishments are a testament to what can be achieved when government, communities, development partners, health workers, and civil society collaborate. She urged states to focus on nutrition financing, asserting that effective policies require predictable resources, effective implementation, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

The new Kaduna State 2026–2030 Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan is envisioned as a tool to build on existing successes, improve coordination, and ensure nutrition remains an integral part of government planning, budgeting, and implementation.

Dr Balarabe expressed gratitude for being named one of the Kaduna State Nutrition Champions, recognizing the honor as a call to service rather than a personal accolade. She stressed that leadership is measured by the lives touched, not by the titles held.