A community-led revolution against child malnutrition

• From Ahmad Rufa’i, Dutse

Jigawa State is setting a remarkable example in the fight against child malnutrition in Nigeria through its innovative Masaki Initiative, a community-driven programme that is saving lives, empowering mothers, and transforming nutrition practices at the grassroots level. The initiative has become a model for sustainable interventions, showing that addressing malnutrition effectively requires more than just food—it demands education, engagement, and empowerment.

The Masaki Initiative, launched in 2018, is the product of a collaboration between the Jigawa State government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Central to the programme is its holistic approach: it combines nutrition education, preventive care, and community participation while leveraging locally available foods to prevent and treat Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). Under the initiative, vulnerable groups—particularly children under five, adolescent girls, and pregnant women—receive targeted support that improves health outcomes while also promoting livelihoods.

Recently, the Jigawa State government, in partnership with UNICEF, procured Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) worth N500 million. Additionally, 30 members of the State House of Assembly contributed N300 million, complementing the government’s N250 million counterpart funding, which UNICEF matched to facilitate the importation of therapeutic foods. These resources are vital in treating children already suffering from malnutrition, yet the programme’s focus extends far beyond emergency intervention.

Over 300 communities in Jigawa are actively participating in the Masaki Initiative. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim, noted that the programme has reduced malnutrition in the state by 10 per cent. He described it as a “revolutionary model that is saving children’s lives while empowering women and building community resilience.”

Malnutrition remains a pressing challenge across Nigeria. According to UNICEF, it contributes—directly or indirectly—to 45 per cent of all child deaths in the country. Conflict, displacement, and food insecurity have intensified the problem, making Nigeria home to the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and the second highest globally, with more than nine million children wasted. In Jigawa, 64 per cent of children are stunted, 9.6 per cent wasted, and 81.9 per cent suffer from anaemia, while over 80 per cent live in food poverty.

What distinguishes the Masaki Initiative is its community-focused, home-grown approach. Unlike conventional interventions that rely primarily on food distribution, Masaki addresses the root causes of malnutrition. Women are empowered economically through small-scale cooperatives and backyard gardens, cultivating nutrient-rich crops such as moringa, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens. These ingredients are then used to prepare affordable, high-protein meals, providing children with essential nutrition while generating sustainable income for families.

Preventive care is another cornerstone of the programme. Masaki sessions, held twice weekly at designated sites, provide health education on maternal nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, water sanitation, hygiene, and cooking nutritious meals using local ingredients. Children at risk of severe malnutrition are referred to Outpatient Therapeutic Feeding (OTP) centres, bridging gaps between households and health facilities. Local health centres report fewer admissions for malnutrition-related complications, a testament to the programme’s effectiveness.

The initiative has drawn interest from other states seeking to replicate Jigawa’s success. On October 29, 2025, a delegation from Kwara State, supported by UNICEF’s Kaduna Field Office, visited Jigawa for a four-day learning programme. Delegates toured Masaki sites in Dutse, Kafin-Hausa, and Ringim local government areas, witnessing first-hand improved child growth indicators, higher exclusive breastfeeding rates, and increased community engagement. Dr. Mary Arinde, Kwara’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, commended Jigawa for mobilising women and producing measurable results.

Community volunteers are the backbone of Masaki. Mrs. Raihanatu Kamulu, a volunteer at the Bulutu site in Ringim, explained that volunteers are trained to identify children at risk, educate mothers, and refer cases to health facilities. Mothers like Karima Sabitu of Dabi community have seen transformative results: her previously malnourished twins are now healthy thanks to meals prepared from local grains, groundnuts, and vegetables. Community leaders have become more involved, hosting dialogues on child health and encouraging men to support household nutrition.

Nationally, the Masaki Initiative is gaining recognition. States including Katsina, Borno, and Zamfara have sent delegations to learn from Jigawa’s model. Deputy Director Abdulrazak Babatunde of the Kwara State Ministry for Local Government described Masaki as “a model for the nation,” emphasising that scaling community-led initiatives backed by strong political will could accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger and good health. Nutritionists also praise the programme for its preventive and educational components. Mrs. Hauwa Jibril, a nutritionist involved in Masaki, noted that sessions target young caregivers, aged 9–15, to instil early understanding of nutrition and hygiene. Weekly sessions include practical demonstrations and meal preparation, which mothers adopt at home, ensuring continuity of care. In essence, the Masaki Initiative has transformed the fight against child malnutrition into a movement—driven by mothers, sustained by communities, and guided by evidence. Healthier children, empowered women, and engaged communities are the visible outcomes. Jigawa’s experience underscores a vital lesson: when communities are equipped with knowledge, resources, and ownership, they can nourish their children and, by extension, secure the nation’s future. What began as a modest programme has grown into a transformative force, offering hope that no Nigerian child will ever suffer from malnutrition for lack of nutritious meals.