Effective multisectoral partnerships among government ministries, agencies, and departments for stronger nutrition programming in selected Nigerian southern states: motivations, achievements, challenges and recommendations

Abstract

Background: Efforts to address malnutrition and its consequences in Nigeria has been on for more than 40 years with multi-stakeholders' involvement. Presently, there is limited opportunity for experiential learning to enhance performance. Objective: This paper documented shared experiences, challenges and opportunities in nutrition programming, strategies and framework for better co-ordination and resource mobilization as envisioned by members of seven States Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN). Methods: A two-day participatory workshop on strengthening multisectoral nutrition programming across states ministries, departments and agencies including technical and brainstorming sessions, group activities, opinion polls and plenary presentations was conducted. Thirty-two SCFN stakeholders from UNICEF Zone B states (Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo) participated including budget and economic planning, health, agriculture, and academia. Results: Key motivation to promote personnel performance included conducive working environment, government commitment/funding support and performance-based reward. Common achievements included existence of approved State Strategic Action Plan of Food and Nutrition, yearly workplans, regular quarterly meetings, and periodic public nutrition education. Major challenges included poor political will, unfavourable hierarchical structure, inadequate budgetary allocation, weak coordination/collaboration, poor skills/competencies of nutrition desk officers, and dwindling partners' support. Recommendations included mainstreaming nutrition into government political and development agenda, continued sensitization and orientation of policy actors, re-orientation of nutrition desk officers, strengthen collaboration, entrenching the creation of State Council of Nutrition in subsequent nutrition policy review, enhance public awareness and media roles, and institute Nutrition Community of Practice platform. Conclusion: Remarkable progress and surmountable challenges characterise nutrition programming in southern Nigeria. Experience sharing, better coordination, continuous learning and effective stakeholders' engagement are required to enhance nutrition funding, enabling environment, skills and competencies of nutrition actors.