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More resources – not fewer – are needed to combat malnutrition in northern Nigeria
More resources – not fewer – are needed to combat malnutrition in northern Nigeria
By Dr. Simba Tirima
MSF’s outgoing country representative in Nigeria, Dr Simba Tirima, reflects on how the disruption of aid will impact the long-term response to combating malnutrition, maternal mortality, and infectious diseases.
For the last (almost) eight years, I have had the privilege of calling Nigeria home. First as a deputy head of mission and now as the country representative, I have seen first-hand how my organization, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has responded with compassion in the face of disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and recurring crises.
I have also seen how other organisations – both international and local – have stepped up to support authorities in tackling many of these same issues. We at MSF know we can’t fix every global medical issue by ourselves; partnerships are critical.
In many ways, MSF remains as stable as ever. Because 99 percent of our funding comes from individual donors, our decisions are dictated by patients’ needs and not political priorities. But with the dramatic draw-down of funding from the US and other rich countries, we will all feel those impacts.
Nigeria is about to enter the peak season of malnutrition, which continues to afflict more Nigerian children than when I first moved here. It’s a serious condition that is not only dangerous or deadly in the short term but can also lead to long term developmental issues; stunting can occur even from moderate malnutrition. Investing in the reduction of malnutrition isn’t just humane – it’s an investment in Nigeria’s future prosperity.
In 2024, more than 250,000 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) were admitted to MSF- supported outpatient facilities (Out-Patient Therapeutic Program, OTP) and 76,000 acutely malnourished children with medical complications to inpatient facilities (Stabilization Centers, SC), representing an increase of 38 percent and 53 percent respectively compared to 2023.
In many of our hospitals last year, our teams saw so many children that we had to increase bed capacity, open every emergency tent we had, put mattresses in corridors and every available space, and treat two or three children per bed. Just in the case of one hospital – Katsina Hospital, the largest of our hospitals focused on malnutrition – we struggled to support the more than 25,000 children admitted to hospital over the course of the year. During the malnutrition peak, we often admitted a child every 5 minutes at the hospital because of complications of acute malnutrition. Overall, the Katsina ITFC admissions were 35 percent higher than in 2024.
Late last year, a food insecurity and malnutrition analysis – led by the Nigerian government – projected that 33.1 million people will face high levels of acute food insecurity during the 2025 lean season (June to August) — seven million more people affected than in 2024.
As we near the lean season this year, these projections are already tracking. Many of our hospitals are already seeing higher numbers than last year. In the most northwestern state of Kebbi for example, just in the month of April we admitted 41.8 percent more patients than in April 2024. In Kano State, one MSF-supported Ministry of Health primary inpatient therapeutic feeding centre (ITFC) – Unguwa Uku Primary Health Centre – is at full capacity; we are projecting that the other one we support – ITFC at Murtala Mohamed Hospital – will also soon hit capacity. MSF-supported facilities across northern Nigeria are likely to face an influx of patients, as in many areas—such as Shinkafi and Zurmi in Zamfara State—MSF is the sole provider of inpatient care for malnourished children.
While we are making the necessary arrangements to treat these projected number of patients by expanding bed capacity, recruiting more health care workers, and starting mobile clinic activities, the cuts and changes in logistics around USAID will inevitably have an impact on the northern region, where we treat people. UNICEF, for example, receives most of its funding from USAID and is a leading distributor of life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to international, national, and local organizations. Many questions and concerns remain about how these drastic changes will disrupt the flow of food to those who need it most. As more children than ever are projected to suffer from malnutrition, we need more resources – not fewer – to ensure they survive the lean season.
There are no shortages of factors contributing to this crisis. A devastating mix of rising food prices, displacement, insecurity, climate-induced crop failures, low immunisation coverage, and a lack of drinkable water and sanitation leave more children susceptible to developing malnutrition. Sustainable strategies to mitigate these factors must continue to be developed – including by MSF. But having worked on this issue for years, I know that aid funding for food alone will not solve the problem. Without it, Nigerian children will continue to die.
For decades, the humanitarian sector has operated under the assumption that if one donor withdrew, another would step in. That assumption no longer holds. New donors and solutions are critically needed at this moment to analyze RUTF needs and treatment gaps, invest in vaccination and primary health care, and tackle malnutrition in northern Nigeria.
Make no mistake, this seismic structural collapse will produce ripple effects for generations, the scale as big as pandemics. Some of those ripples will be more obvious than others, but we will all feel the impacts in one way or another. It’s up to all of us to correct the course today.
More resources – not fewer – are needed to combat malnutrition in northern Nigeria
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
By: Zagazola Makama
Another group of repentant bandits has released three women in Katsina State as part of the ongoing peace process in the state.
The women, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were said to have been held by a notorious bandit leader, Kacalla Zailani, who controls the Maigora axis.
Community sources told Zagazola on Wednesday that Zailani freed the captives voluntarily without collecting ransom.
“He handed over the women to the mediators as a gesture of goodwill to consolidate the peace deal,” one of the sources said.
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System
… Fagbemi: Zulum, people-centred and reform-driven Gov.
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other partners to deepen reforms in the state justice system especially at the grassroots level.
Governor Zulum made the commitment on Wednesday at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the International Conference Centre of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.
“I reaffirm Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to deepen reforms in our justice system, especially at the grassroots level,” Zulum stated.
The governor stressed the need for the deployment of technology which will make justice delivery faster, transparent and accountable to the citizenry, noting that Borno State had already adopted the use of digital technology to bridge justice delivery gap.
“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, thus improving prison decongestion and streaming access to legal aid especially in hard-to-reach areas. If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access,” he remarked.
“This is particularly important in Borno State where we continue to recover from a protracted
insurgency and humanitarian crisis. Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust and restoring the social contract”.
The governor emphasized the need for institutional collaboration and coordinated reform to effectively confront the menace of terrorism, corruption, resolving land disputes and securing investments for a better society.
“I urge all of us here as policymakers, jurists, administrators and stakeholders to see
coordination not as a procedural matter, but as a moral imperative. Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies”.
The retreat themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Co-ordinated Reform” underscores the importance of deployment of digital tools to fast track judicial process.
The event was attended by the senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN; APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, Chairman/CEO NDLEA, Brig. Gen (rtd) Buba Marwa; Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Heads of Agencies under Federal Ministry of Justice. Others include Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, acting Chief of Staff, the State Attorney-General, members of the state executive council, and other top government officials.
… Zulum: people-centred, and reform-driven Gov -Fegbemi
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has lauded Governor Babagana Zulum’s people-centred transformation and reforms in the justice sector.
“Just like other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound. The launch of Borno State e-Justice project in
partnership with Law Pavilion has positioned the state as a pacesetter in digital transformation. With tools such as the Case
Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal processes, Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency
in judicial service delivery,” Fagbemi stated.
“Borno under your leadership has become a case study in resilience and renewal. You have shown that governance is not about slogans but about solutions; not about rhetoric but about results. You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds,” he added.
“In a state that has endured some of the toughest trials in our nation’s history, you did not succumb to despair. Instead, you applied
innovative thinking, sound judgment, and a data-driven approach to policy and the results are visible to all”.
The Attorney General called for the need to update the nation’s legal frameworks to support these innovations and invest in digital literacy,
cybersecurity, and data management for the professionals.
“By fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, we can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians,” he concluded.
Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal
By: Zagazola Makama
A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.
The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.
Zagazola reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.
Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.
Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.
A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.
Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal
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