Kwara Validates Domesticated National Strategy to Improve Nutrition Outcomes

The Kwara State Government in collaboration with UNICEF, has validated the domesticated National Social and Behaviour Change Strategy (SBCC) for Nutrition Across the Life Cycle to strengthen nutrition messaging and promote positive behavioural change across the state.

The Government also reiterated its readiness to work closely with UNICEF and other partners to ensure effective implementation of the strategy, with the intention of improving nutritional status of every child, woman, family, and community across the state.

The validation meeting, held in Ilorin, brought together government officials, development partners, technical experts, and stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies to review and endorse the strategy, which is designed to provide a coordinated framework for improving nutrition practices among others.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, described the development and validation of the strategy as another significant milestone in the state’s commitment to improving nutrition outcomes. 

She noted that the document would guide coordinated communication efforts aimed at addressing malnutrition across all stages of life.

Dr El-Imam commended the technical team and all stakeholders for producing a comprehensive, practical, and people-centred strategy that reflects the nutrition needs of Kwara State. 

She expressed satisfaction with the quality of the document and urged all partners to remain committed to its successful implementation.

The Commissioner also applauded the active participation of the state’s communication team throughout the development process, noting that their early involvement would ensure effective dissemination of key nutrition messages to communities across the state.

She also expressed confidence that the combined efforts of government, development partners, and communication professionals would ensure successful implementation of the strategy.

She further expressed optimism that the collaboration would also contribute to the elimination of malnutrition and the promotion of healthier families and communities.

Dr El-Imam also lauded the support of UNICEF in ensuring the implementation of the validation meeting. 

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Communications, Mr Bolanle Olukoju, underscored the importance of meeting to the health and well-being of the people of the State. 

She described the validation as a demonstration of government’s collective commitment to advancing effective nutrition interventions.

Olukoju observed that while stakeholders had identified the nutrition challenges through available data and evidence, the next priority is deliberate implementation. 

She therefore, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles through sustained behaviour change initiatives.

She assured participants of the government's  support in driving the implementation of the Social and Behaviour Change Communication strategy.

The Commissioner emphasized that the Ministry’s Public Orientation Department would intensify awareness campaigns to ensure the messages reach every community across the state.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture would also play an active role in implementing the strategy by deploying culturally appropriate communication approaches that reflect the values and traditions of the people while encouraging positive behavioural change.

Stakeholders at the meeting unanimously endorsed the validated strategy, describing it as a timely document that will strengthen nutrition programming and improve coordination among implementing partners across the state.

The validation marks another step in Kwara State’s efforts to combat malnutrition through evidence-based communication, community engagement, and multi-sectoral collaboration, in line with national priorities and global best practices.

Saad Hamdalat, 

Press Sec MOH 

08166520513