The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that about 5.4 million under five children are suffering from acute malnutrition in the North West and North East in Nigeria.
This was disclosed on Wednesday evening by UNICEF representative Ms Cristian Munduate during a press briefing held at the Command Guest house in Gusau, Zamfara state.
Munduate explained that there is a pressing crisis that affects millions of children in Zamfara and across the country.
“Thank you for gathering here today as we address a pressing crisis affecting millions of children in Zamfara State and across Nigeria.
“The numbers we face are staggering, nearly 5.4 million children under five in the northwest and northeast are suffering from acute malnutrition, with projections indicating an additional one million cases by April 2025”. She mentioned.
According to the UNICEF representative, while highlighting the situation, she said Zamfara is home to 1.2 million children.
“Of these, 250,000 children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)—that’s 1 in every 10 children staring at death. Wasting affects 1 in 10 children while stunting among children aged 0 to 5 years is at an alarming 45.2%.
“The neonatal mortality rate is 42 per 1,000 live births, only 21.5% of pregnant women attended 4+ antenatal visits, and institutional deliveries stand at a mere 15%,” she said.
Munduate further disclosed that a shocking 62,000 pregnant women, only 13% of the total, have access to skilled birth attendants.
“Immunisation rates remain critically low, with Penta 3 coverage at just 9.6%.
“Over 700,000 children—62%—are out of school, and 60% of girls are subjected to child marriage, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.”
On birth registration, UNICEF said it is low, only 31.4%, leaving many children invisible and vulnerable. The Broader Status of Children in Nigeria,
the crisis in Zamfara is a reflection of a larger, national challenge.
She revealed that Nigeria has over 110 million children, yet 40% of those under age 5 are stunted.
“Only 57% of children under 5 have been registered, 2.1 million children have never been vaccinated, 1 in 4 children is out of school, and 3 in 4 lack foundational skills,” she mentioned.
The UNICEF further disclosed that 47% of children live in income-poor households, while 67% experience multidimensional poverty.
“To address these dire needs across Nigeria’s most vulnerable states, including Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina, we require over $250 million in funds. Of this, more than $100 million is needed for Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina alone to provide vital services in nutrition, health, WASH, child protection, and education,” she said.
In Zamfara, the needs are critical, UNICEF aim to treat 400,000 children under 5 suffering from severe acute malnutrition
“200,000 additional children in the northwest will require Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in 2025 compared to 2024, over 300,000 children in Sokoto and Zamfara need measles vaccinations,” she revealed.
She said two million vulnerable people in Zamfara and Sokoto require access to medical treatment and counselling on nutritious diets.
“The situation demands our immediate action, collaboration, and commitment. Together, we can save lives, restore hope, and build a brighter future for the children of Zamfara and beyond,” she added.
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