By Peter Emmanuel |
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) have intensified advocacy for improved nutrition among women and girls.
The organisations made the call at the Women in Power Conference 2026 (WIPC 2026), held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
The conference, themed “Championing Women and Girls’ Nutrition for Sustainable Development,” brought together government officials, captains of industry, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote practical action against malnutrition.
The event also featured the recognition of 50 Women Champions for Optimal Nutrition, who are expected to promote nutrition awareness, healthy living and informed food choices in their communities.
Speaking at the conference, the wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat, called for stronger advocacy, greater awareness and practical action against malnutrition across communities.
She said good nutrition was fundamental to healthy living, human capital development and the development of a prosperous society.
Oluremi Hamzat Calls for Stronger Action Against Malnutrition
Hamzat commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, CS-SUNN and the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for organising the conference.
She said the recognition of Women Champions for Optimal Nutrition was a timely step towards taking the message of proper nutrition to communities.
Hamzat encouraged women, mothers and community leaders to promote balanced diets, healthy lifestyles and informed food choices.
She urged stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts and ensure that nutrition information reaches women and girls across different communities.
She said tackling malnutrition requires practical action and sustained awareness, particularly among families and vulnerable groups.
Hamzat also stressed the importance of empowering women with the knowledge needed to make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
Lagos Highlights Nutrition Programmes, Six-Month Maternity Leave
The Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Cecilia Dada, highlighted government programmes aimed at improving nutrition and the wellbeing of women and families.
Dada said nutrition was closely linked to women’s economic wellbeing, noting that women with access to skills, income and relevant information are better positioned to support their families.
She highlighted the ministry’s “Ounje Lo Re Awo” Food and Nutrition Programme, which has reached beneficiaries across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos State.
According to her, the programme provides medical screening, professional nutrition education and healthy food packs to beneficiaries.
Dada said the ministry would continue to extend its interventions to riverine and rural communities across the state.
She also noted that Lagos State’s six-month maternity leave for civil servants supports maternal and child wellbeing.
50 Women Recognised as Champions for Optimal Nutrition
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Oreoluwa Finnih, said Lagos could not build a greater future if any segment of its population was left behind because of malnutrition.
Finnih linked proper nutrition for women and adolescent girls to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality and Decent Work.
The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, described nutrition as foundational to sustainable development.
Olatunji-Bello said investment in nutrition was an investment in future productivity, intellectual development and national strength.
Jessica Patelomian of CS-SUNN delivered a presentation on the 1,000 Days Window of Opportunity and urged women to prioritise their own wellbeing.
The conference also featured sensitisation on managing malnutrition in Lagos State and the decoration of the 50 newly recognised Women Champions for Optimal Nutrition, who were urged to use their influence to promote healthy living in their communities.
