"Infant malnourishment in Nigeria must be tackled with expediency," says Nguvu Change Leader Alheri Billyok

Alheri Billyok- Nguvu Change Leader

In October this year, The Red Cross expressed concern over a severe increase in child malnutrition in conflict-hit northeast Nigeria. Earlier in June, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund ) had also reported that around 11 million Nigerian children are experiencing severe child food poverty or consuming no more than just two out of eight food groups.

These Nigerian children represent nearly two-thirds of the 181 million under-fives globally who are enduring severe food poverty. Nutrient-rich foods like eggs, fish, and poultry are missing from their diets, leading to malnutrition and stunted growth.

On Infant Protection Day (7th November), Alheri Billyok—a nutritionist, dietician, data analyst, and Nguvu Change Leader—aims to spotlight the critical need for infant health and safety. Quoting a 2021 UNICEF report that ranks Nigeria second globally for its stunting burden, she remarks, “The crisis of an estimated two million malnourished children must be addressed urgently. Although the World Bank urged the Federal Government to invest more in nutrition programmes this October, raising public awareness is equally vital.”

Alheri’s awareness of children’s suffering began as a volunteer in the dietetics department of a public hospital in Kaduna State, where she witnessed malnutrition’s severe effects firsthand. She also noticed how young mothers often reverted to unhealthy feeding habits after early antenatal and vaccination sessions.

In response, she initiated an online petition, appealing to the Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and nursery and primary schools in Kaduna State to integrate nutritional education into the curriculum. As she puts it, “It’s never too early to teach children about the risks of consuming processed and fizzy foods. This knowledge can also encourage mothers and carers to make healthier choices for their children.”

She advocates for multifaceted interventions to curb malnutrition and foster a future generation of nutritionally conscious children, along with mothers and carers who are intentional about food choices.