UNICEF: Over Half of Children in Kano Suffer Stunting from Malnutrition

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm over child malnutrition in Kano State, revealing that 51.9% of children are stunted—meaning one in every two is not growing properly due to chronic malnutrition.

Speaking at the official handover of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in Takai Local Government Area, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office Kano, Rahma Farah—represented by Health Manager Serekeberehan Deres—also disclosed that more than 10% of children in the state are wasted, a severe condition where a child is dangerously underweight for their height.

Farah warned that wasting greatly increases the risk of death if left untreated, stressing that child malnutrition in Kano is a serious public health emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action.

He urged increased investment in both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, particularly within the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. He also called on government, civil society, religious, and traditional leaders to expand access to nutrition services, clean water, healthcare, and education.

Kano State’s Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling malnutrition, noting that new maternal and child health programmes have been launched. He pledged continued collaboration with UNICEF and other partners to improve child survival and development indicators.

Malnutrition remains a leading cause of child mortality and poor educational outcomes in Nigeria, with the northern region bearing a significant share of the burden.