In 2022, USAID Advancing Nutrition used an organizational capacity assessment tool to conduct capacity assessments with the State Committees for Food and Nutrition (SCFNs) in Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto States in Northern Nigeria. The assessment identified areas for improvement that may hinder the SCFNs from implementing strong multi-sectoral programming in their states. With the SCFN members, we used the findings to design action plans that detail short-, medium-, and long-term activities, as articulated in the forthcoming SCFN Capacity Assessment Reports. USAID Advancing Nutrition is supporting SCFNs to address gaps or weaknesses, such as lack of functional committees at the local government authority level, inadequate funding, and poor monitoring and evaluation systems. In providing this support, USAID Advancing Nutrition uses holistic capacity strengthening approaches, like coaching and mentoring by the project’s technical experts, on-the-job training, embedding short-term advisors within the SCFN, and matching exemplary SCFNs for study tours/twinning with more nascent SCFNs.

Additionally, USAID Advancing Nutrition is working closely with the National Committee for Food and Nutrition (NCFN) to develop an orientation package for SCFNs that provides an overview of their mandate and roles, as well as a primer on key multi-sectoral nutrition content. In 2023, USAID Advancing Nutrition will train and support the NCFN to deliver a pilot orientation in Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, Ebonyi, and Federal Capital Territory, building NCFN facilitation capacity so the package can be delivered in other states following the closure of the project.