At least 200 children die every day in Northeast Nigeria due to severe malnutrition, an alarming statistic that underscores the region’s deepening health crisis.
Nutrition experts warn that if urgent action is not taken, millions more children will suffer from stunting, wasting, and life-threatening deficiencies.
Senior Nutrition Coordinator for Northeast Nigeria, John Mukisa, sounded the alarm at a high-level nutrition forum in Abuja, where he revealed that 3.5 million children in the region are currently affected by malnutrition, with the worst-hit areas including Central and Northern Borno, Northern Yobe, and parts of Adamawa.
According to Mukisa, two-thirds of severely malnourished children receive treatment, but millions of moderately malnourished children remain underserved, putting them at risk of irreversible health complications.
“Without decisive action, the death toll will continue to rise, leaving a devastating impact on the region’s future,” Mukisa warned.
Beyond the tragic loss of young lives, malnutrition is draining Nigeria’s economy. Mukisa estimated that Nigeria loses $500 million annually in GDP due to malnutrition, a hidden crisis that weakens workforce productivity, increases healthcare costs, and threatens long-term economic stability.
Severe stunting and wasting also undermine the region’s development, as malnourished children struggle with cognitive impairments, poor school performance, and lower earning potential in adulthood.
Amidst the crisis, Borno State is pioneering a large-scale intervention using Tom Brown, a locally produced, nutrient-dense food supplement. Governor Babagana Zulum has made combating malnutrition a top priority, announcing plans to standardize and expand the production of Tom Brown to reach more children and pregnant women across the state.
Speaking at the UN House in Abuja, Governor Zulum said: “Our approach goes beyond treatment; we aim to prevent malnutrition by harnessing our local resources. This is about saving lives while empowering communities.”
Borno’s strategy focuses on, Scaling up production of Tom Brown for widespread distribution, Integrating the supplement into state nutrition programs to ensure consistent access, Partnering with researchers to improve its nutritional value, Distributing it through primary healthcare centers, reaching those most in need.
Professor Baba Malam Gana, Borno’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, called for a nationwide expansion of Tom Brown, emphasizing that it could reduce malnutrition relapse by up to 35%, making it a cost-effective alternative to expensive, imported supplements.
“Nigeria cannot continue to rely on external aid. Tom Brown is a locally viable solution that can save millions of lives and create jobs,” he said.
International organizations, including UNICEF, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the WHO, have pledged support for scaling up locally produced nutrition interventions.
Dominique Koffy Kouacou, UNFAO Country Representative to Nigeria, said:
“We are not here to talk about problems—we are here to implement solutions. Scaling up Tom Brown is not just about fighting malnutrition; it’s about empowering communities and building resilience.”
With backing from the EU, UNICEF, and key embassies, stakeholders are pushing for a nationwide rollout of Tom Brown, incorporating it into Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare Centers and community feeding programs.
Despite over $1 billion in humanitarian aid funneled into nutrition programs, malnutrition rates in Northeast Nigeria remain dangerously high. Experts warn that without stronger government investment and strict measures to prevent aid diversion, the crisis will worsen.
Mukisa urged state governments and regulatory agencies like NAFDAC to crack down on the misuse of humanitarian aid and prioritize long-term nutrition investments instead of short-term donor dependence.
As malnutrition deaths continue to mount, Nigeria faces a critical choice: scale up homegrown solutions like Tom Brown or risk losing an entire generation to hunger and disease.