By Ochiaka Ugwu
Director and Head of Nutrition Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ladidi Kuluwa Bako-Aiyegbusi mni has stressed the need for Nigeria-specific research to strengthen local evidence especially in areas of longitudinal studies and clinical impact on mother and child in terms of birth outcomes, developmental milestones and cognitive assessment.
Aiyegbusi who made this known Thursday in Abuja at the event of Optimization Adherence for Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) which was focused on MMS research carried on in Bauchi State said significant progress had been made towards strengthening maternal nutrition through evidence-based policy and programmes.
The event which was to validate the result of the implementation research carried out on optimizing adherence for Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) was conducted in Bauchi State by Nutrition International in collaboration with Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (NI) between 2022 and 2025.
She said while the benefits of MMS, containing 15 essential vitamins and minerals were well documented, it had been shown globally to improve birth outcomes and enhance maternal well-being.
Aiyegbusi observed that in alliance with WHO’s recommendation to introduce MMS within the context of rigorous research, key nutrition stakeholders had conducted various studies opportunities for an effective nationwide rollout.
She said it was in the strength of the alliance that Nutrition International, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, undertook a three-year implementation to understand implementation challenges, barriers, facilitators, and research project titled: “Optimizing Adherence for Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in selected Local Governments in Bauchi State.
In his welcome remarks, Nigerian Country Director of Nutrition International, Dr Osita Okonkwo said the multi-stakeholder, national validation meeting was convened in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria to present and validate the findings of a three-year implementation research project on introducing multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) into antenatal care in Nigeria.
He stated the event was an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen maternal health as the Government evaluates the evidence needed to inform policy decisions on implementing MMS at scale across the country.
Okonkwo said with funding from the Gates Foundation, Nutrition International worked alongside the Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Bauchi State Government to pilot MMS implementation in 84 public health facilities across Dass, Giade, and Ganjuwa LGAs between 2022 and 2025.
He noted the pilot tested context-specific strategies to help improve adherence and strengthen maternal nutrition programming within routine antenatal care services.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on Public Health and Focal Person for Nutrition, Office of the Vice President, Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, represented by her Technical Assistant, Priscillia Oche said the importance of MMS cannot be overstated based on its impact on nutritional status of women and subsequent health outcomes for children.
She said it was encouraging to note the substantial increase in adherence to MMS amongst the Nigerian population, maintaining it was an essential step in addressing the pervasive issue of maternal and child malnutrition.
Director of Food & Nutrition, Nigerian Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning, Mrs. Clementina Okoro represented by Dr. Olalekan Adedun while thanking Nutrition International and its partners for their sustained effort to improve the nutritional status and transform the lives of over 100 million vulnerable Nigerians, assured of Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to improving the nutritional well-being of citizens.
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