In the BAY states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe in Northeast Nigeria, malnutrition remains a dire challenge, threatening the health and future of millions of children. According to UNICEF 2.8 million children under five years old, along with pregnant and lactating women, require urgent nutritional intervention.
Without these services, an estimated 1.7 million people across the BAY states risk being afflicted by acute malnutrition in 2024. Also, the 2023 lean season Nutrition and Food Security Surveillance (NFSS) Round 13 conducted across the BAY states, estimated that the prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) among children under 5 years in Borno is 10.
2 percent, 8.0 percent in Yobe and 4.0 percent in Adamawa.
This also means that an estimated 511,807 children under five suffer from Sever Acute Malnutrition annually, requiring urgent interventions to save their lives. However, amidst these grim statistics, hope shines in small communities where women are championing change. One of such communities is Layin Jere in Borno State, where grassroots initiatives are led by inspiring women like Mrs.
Usaina Abba Ibrahim. Trained by UNICEF, Usaina is at the forefront of a campaign aimed at transforming nutrition practices in her community. Usaina’s work involves going door to door, educating mothers about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and nutrient-rich local foods.
Despite initial resistance, her persistence has paid off, with women like Aisha Muhammed, a mother of .