In line with the vision of the Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration on nutrition and food security, the Sokoto State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) convened its 2025 Second Quarter Meeting on Thursday, 19th June, at Dankani Guest Palace Hotel, Sokoto.

The meeting, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajiya Maryam Ahmad Barade, (ably represented by the Director of Economic Planning, Sani Abdullahi), brought together key stakeholders and development partners to assess the state’s nutrition programming and identify strategic next steps.

Participants received updates on the concluded first round of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), the recent launch and dissemination of the Sokoto State Food and Nutrition Policy supported by UNICEF and MSPAN, and the Child Nutrition Fund approved by the state government, with discussions focusing on its appropriate utilization for maximum impact. The committee also explored practical steps toward reactivating Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN) to strengthen coordination and implementation at the grassroots level.

In attendance were:

• Sani Abdullahi – Director Economic Planning Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Sokoto
• Dr. Nasiru Umar – State Nutrition Officer, Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA)
• Prof. Rabiu Umar Aliyu
• Mainasara Bello – Representative of Helen Keller International (State Coordinator)
• Development partners and key MDAs involved in nutrition-related interventions

The Committee also discussed strategies for engaging philanthropists and private sector leaders to support nutrition funding. Plans for advocacy visits were outlined to ensure broad-based ownership and sustainable financing for nutrition programming.

The meeting concluded with a strong call to action to deepen stakeholder engagement, improve accountability mechanisms, and continue aligning all nutrition efforts with Sokoto State’s development priorities under the 9-Point SMART Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto (FCNA).