As part of its ongoing efforts to improve nutrition outcomes in Nigeria, the Director of Social Development at the Federal Ministry of Budget, National and Economic Planning (FMBNEP), in collaboration with the World Bank, hosted a 2-day multisectoral stakeholders meeting last week. The meeting brought together key technical and implementing partners, including HSDF, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Technical Adviser, Office of the Vice President, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), The Gates Foundation, World food program, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and UNICEF.

The main objectives of the meeting were to:

– Foster a shared understanding of the need for a multisectoral Food and Nutrition Data Framework (MFNDF) and its connection to the Food and Nutrition Policy Revision and the N774 Initiatives.
– Review the proposed scope and content of the MFNDF, deliberate on key elements, define its users, and clarify expectations for the strategy document.
– Agree on the Terms of Reference (TOR) and expectations for the Technical Working Group (TWG) in developing the MFNDP.
– Collect input on recommendations to inform the first draft of the MFNDP.

A key highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) by the Director of Social Development, FMBNEP, with HSDF serving as the technical partner in developing the framework.

HSDF will continue to collaborate with other stakeholders in the TWG to advance nutrition outcomes in Nigeria. To learn more about our work in nutrition and other health and social services, please visit our website at www.hsdf.org.ng