Micronutrient deficiency, a silent public health challenge – Health Minister

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate has described micronutrient deficiency as one of the major silent public health challenges confronting the nation.

Prof. Pate who made this known Tuesday in Abuja at the 2025 National Micronutrient Conference themed: “Strengthening Resilient Systems for Addressing Micro-Nutrient Deficiencies in Nigeria” said the theme of the conference points to the nation’s unwavering commitment to building an integrated, sustainable and evidence-based response to one of the most silent, but pervasive public health challenges facing the nation.

He stressed the urgent need for the nation to move from fragmented nutrition programmes to coordinated, evidence-based actions to address widespread micronutrient deficiencies across the country.

Minister Pate explained that the conference was convened to bring together government, development partners, civil society and the private sector to review data, align strategies and strengthen systems across health, food, education, social protection, water and sanitation.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako said the conference underscored the magnitude of micronutrient efficiency in the nation and reflects the share commitment to tackling is as the most pressing public health and developmental challenges facing the nation.

He urged that discussion on micronutrient should not be seen as mere talk, but a national platform for dialogue, reflection and coordinated action to address the severe public health issues which affect millions of Nigerians especially women and children.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari said the micronutrient deficiency otherwise known as hidden hunger was the most overlooked challenge in food chain and affects millions of Nigerians especially women, infants and children.

Kyari said the real issue was not only quantity of food, but quality and nutritional value the food provides.

He noted that micronutrient deficiency was not only health issue, but an agricultural, productive, economic and national development issues.

Minister Kyari stated the nation faces the challenge of ensuring that every household has access not only to adequate food, but also to nutrient rich food that strengthens immunity, supports child development and improve cognitive performance.

He informed that the success of national agricultural transformation depends on health and resilience of the people and urged stakeholders to come together and collaborate to achieve the desired objective.

Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleman Ibrahim who was represented by Christiana Oliko said the theme of the conference could not be timelier and more strategic considering the collective resolve to end malnutrition.

She said micronutrient deficiency remains one of the silent, but devastating drivers of ill-health, poor learning outcomes, low productivity, maternal and child mortality.

Statistician General and CEO National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Yemi Adeniran represented by an NBS official who observed that Micronutrient deficiencies have been a major public health concern in Nigeria, with far-reaching consequences on the country’s economic development, healthcare systems, and overall well-being of its citizens.

He maintained that it was only through strengthened and resilient systems the nation can effectively identify, prevent, and treat micronutrient deficiencies, ultimately improving the lives of millions of Nigerians.

Prof. Pate inaugurated the 33-Member-National Micronutrient Deficiency Control (MNDC) Advisory Committee chaired by outgoing Director and Head of Nutrition Dept, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ladidi K. Bako-Aiyegbusi mni. It was a multi-stakeholder body tasked with guiding implementation, monitoring progress, advising government on priority actions and engaging constructively on how best to upscale nutrition.

Pate unveiled other nutrition policy documents, including the Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) landscape analysis and roadmap, the Nutrition Emergency Strategy, and knowledge management and advocacy frameworks aimed at strengthening nutrition delivery nationwide.

While delivering the vote of thanks, Mrs. Ladidi K. Bako-Aiyegbusi mni thanked stakeholders for their commitment in upscaling nutrition.