From Nasir Shuaibu, BAUCHI
The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Bauchi Chapter, has urged the Bauchi State Government to release the ₦500 million budgeted for the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) to sustain efforts aimed at reducing malnutrition among women and children.
The call was made during the coalition's quarterly advocacy and budget performance tracking visit to the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board (BSPHCB) under the UNICEF-supported Partnerships on Increasing Investment in Nutrition Project.
Speaking during the visit, CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Dabis Mwalike, acknowledged the state's commitment to nutrition but stressed that timely release of budgeted funds remained critical to achieving the objectives of the Child Nutrition Fund.
She noted that the CNF was established as a sustainable financing mechanism rather than a one-off intervention, urging the government to maintain budgetary allocations and ensure prompt release of funds for nutrition programmes.
Mwalike also commended Bauchi State for receiving recognition from UNICEF during the Strategic Policy Dialogue in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for providing counterpart funding for the Child Nutrition Fund at both state and local government levels.
She reaffirmed CS-SUNN's readiness to continue supporting government efforts through advocacy and collaboration while informing the Board of the emergence of a new leadership for the coalition in Bauchi State.
Responding, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board disclosed that although the state government had allocated ₦500 million for the Child Nutrition Fund in the 2026 budget, the money had not yet been released.
He appreciated CS-SUNN for its sustained advocacy and pledged continued collaboration with stakeholders to improve nutrition outcomes and reduce malnutrition across the state.
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