The Nutrition Society of Nigeria is the largest gathering of key nutrition players in Nigeria, drawing members from academia, National and State Committees for Food and Nutrition, research institutions, corporate organizations, humanitarian and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Through their annual forum, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria brings pressing issues to the public and raises awareness on policies and scientific breakthroughs in the Nigerian nutrition space.

This year’s conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, focused on “Bridging the Malnutrition Gap: Nurturing Multisectoral Commitments for Sustainable Nutrition in Nigeria” with a special emphasis on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition as well as multi-sectoral nutrition coordination strategies to achieve better nutrition outcomes in Nigeria.

USAID Advancing Nutrition presented the findings from the capacity assessment of its State Committees for Food and Nutrition in the three implementing states of Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto as well as the findings on the multi-stakeholder consultations on food value chains and food groups that have been designated for promotion in these three states. The project also used this opportunity to showcase the nutrition efforts of USAID Advancing Nutrition Nigeria. At the end of the presentations, panelists commended the project’s use of approaches that facilitate locally-led development, including putting the voices and opinions of the stakeholders that will be engaged in the implementation at the forefront, as well the target project participants.