In a decisive step to address malnutrition and strengthen food security, Plateau State officially inaugurated its State Council on Nutrition under the Nutrition 774 Initiative (N‑774). The event, held in Jos, underscores the State's commitment to translating national nutrition ambitions into local action.
The inauguration marks the formal flag‑off of the Nutrition 774 programme in Plateau: a dedicated institutional mechanism aimed at operationalizing efforts across the State’s Local Government Areas.
The newly‑constituted Council brings together critical stakeholders from across health, agriculture, education, finance, water resources, food security, and local government leadership. Chaired by the Governor, the Council includes commissioners, local government chairmen, traditional and religious leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners.
This inclusive, high‑level coordination body is designed to:
steer the implementation of Nutrition 774 across sectors and local governments,
embed nutrition‑sensitive programmes into health, education, agriculture, women affairs and social protection, and
prioritise budget allocations, monitoring, and accountability at the grassroots.
At the event, stakeholders highlighted that nutrition remains one of Nigeria’s most silent yet profound challenges, affecting child survival, learning outcomes, and economic productivity. In Plateau, despite agricultural wealth, malnutrition has persisted—making the launch of the Council both timely and urgent.
Governor Mutfwang pledged his administration’s full support to the Council, emphasising that real change happens “in markets, farms, villages and homes—everywhere our children live and grow.”
With the Council now operational, key focus areas for the coming months include:
Rolling out community‑based nutrition interventions in every Local Government Area, especially underserved and remote communities.
Launching data tracking systems and dashboards to monitor nutrition outcomes, capture gaps, and inform course correction.
Establishing and safeguarding dedicated budget lines for nutrition programmes, ensuring resources match ambition.
Mobilising grassroots advocacy—traditional and religious leaders, women’s groups, and schools are engaged to shift nutrition mindsets and behaviours.
By moving from ad‑hoc interventions to a sustained, state‑owned governance structure, Plateau is set to become a model of how nutrition can be embedded in the state’s development planning.
The inauguration of the State Council on Nutrition under the Nutrition 774 Initiative marks the beginning of a focused commitment for Plateau State—a clear message that nutrition is no longer an afterthought, but a core pillar of health, human capital and societal progress.
“Our children deserve a future unburdened by malnutrition; our communities deserve the strength that proper nutrition brings; our State deserves leaders who prioritise this reality. This Council is our vehicle to make that future real.”
