{
  "id": 12738339,
  "title": "FG plans nutrition bill fast-track – Shettima",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/fg-plans-nutrition-bill-fast-track-shettima",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-07T23:54:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fg-plans-nutrition-bill-fast-track-shettima/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Vice President Kashim Shettima announced plans to fast-track the development of a National Food and Nutrition Bill at the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The proposed law aims to protect nutrition financing, enforce accountability beyond any administration, and strengthen the Federal Government's Nutrition 774 Initiative. Shettima revealed that 32 state houses of assembly would have nutrition committees, and the bill would deepen a compact among federal, state and local governments to deliver a unified response to malnutrition. The government has already committed $26m to the Child Nutrition Fund, which attracted matching support, unlocking $52m. Since 2023, 21 states have contributed $6.3m for supplies to prevent and treat malnutrition. The Nutrition Financing Subcommittee is working to mobilize additional domestic resources. Nigeria's National Policy on Food and Nutrition 2026-2035 targets cutting the country's stunting rate from 40% to 25% by 2035. The urgency of reforms is underscored by the fact that 40% of Nigerian children under five are stunted, costing the economy an estimated $56bn annually. Shettima noted that nutrition committees have been established in more than 450 local government areas, and the government is strengthening state councils and delivery capacity at all levels. He also highlighted the Private Sector Engagement Framework, engaging food vendors, small and medium enterprises, manufacturers, financiers, and regulators to improve the availability and affordability of nutritious food. Shettima and Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, signed a joint statement expressing their commitment to continued cooperation on nutrition.",
  "summary": "Vice President Kashim Shettima says the FG will accelerate work on a National Food and Nutrition Bill to protect financing and enforce accountability. Read More: https://punchng.com/fg-plans-nutrition-bill-fast-track-shettima/",
  "key_points": [
    "VP Kashim Shettima fast-tracks National Food and Nutrition Bill",
    "32 state houses to have nutrition committees",
    "$26m committed to Child Nutrition Fund, unlocking $52m"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The planned National Food and Nutrition Bill signals a major shift in Nigeria's approach to malnutrition by enforcing accountability, protecting nutrition financing, and fostering cooperation among all levels of government.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "FG plans nutrition bill fast-track – Shettima",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/fg-plans-nutrition-bill-fast-track-shettima",
        "published": "2026-10-08T00:00:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}