Malnutrition is not a relic from the past; it remains a deeply rooted public health crisis in many parts of the world, especially in Nigeria and across Africa.
Despite progress in healthcare and agriculture, millions of families continue to struggle with accessing proper nutrition.
The problem goes beyond hunger; it includes a deficiency of essential nutrients, limited dietary diversity, and the long-term effects of undernutrition and overnutrition.
This article examines malnutrition in depth, highlighting the nutrients most often missing, the serious consequences it brings, the efforts being made, the challenges faced, and the solutions required to build a healthier Africa.
Understanding Malnutrition
Malnutrition occurs when the body does not receive the right amount of calories, protein, vitamins, or minerals needed for optimal growth and function.
It manifests in three primary forms:
- Undernutrition: Insufficient intake of calories and protein, leading to stunting, wasting, and underweight.
- Micronutrient deficiencies: Lack of critical vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc.
- Overnutrition: Excess calorie intake combined with poor diet quality, resulting in overweight, obesity, and diet-related diseases.
In Africa, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies remain the most severe threats, particularly among children under five and women of reproductive age.
The Malnutrition Crisis In Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, with over 220 million people, yet malnutrition is widespread and persistent.
Reports indicate:
- One in three Nigerian children under the age of five is stunted due to chronic malnutrition. Stunting reflects long-term poor nutrition and negatively affects both physical growth and brain development.
- Acute Malnutrition or wasting affects millions, particularly in the northern regions plagued by conflict. This condition is life-threatening because it weakens the immune system and increases vulnerability to disease.
- Micronutrient Deficiencies are rampant. Anaemia caused by iron deficiency affects nearly half of Nigerian women of reproductive age. In contrast, vitamin A deficiency leaves children more susceptible to blindness and infection.
- Food insecurity is rising, with over 17 million people projected to face hunger in 2025 if conditions do not improve. This number may increase further due to climate shocks and economic instability.
The problem goes beyond hunger; it includes a deficiency of essential nutrients, limited dietary diversity, and the long-term effects of undernutrition and overnutrition.
Nutrients Most Commonly Missing In Nigeria And Africa
1. Protein
Protein deficiency is widespread in communities that rely heavily on cassava, maise, and rice as staple foods. Without sufficient protein, children suffer from Kwashiorkor, characterised by swelling, weakness, and poor growth. Adults with protein deficiency may experience reduced muscle mass, weakened immunity, and fatigue, which can impact their productivity. Since meat, fish, and eggs are often expensive, many households cannot afford them regularly, resulting in chronic protein deficiencies in diets.
2. Iron
Iron is crucial for making haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders in Nigeria, particularly among women and children. It causes fatigue, dizziness, poor concentration, and increased maternal mortality during childbirth. Without intervention, iron deficiency reduces learning ability in children and economic productivity in adults.
3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A supports healthy vision, immune function, and cell growth and development. In Nigeria, many children suffer from vitamin A deficiency because diets often lack fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods. Deficiency can lead to night blindness, impaired immune response, and an increased risk of death from infections such as measles and diarrhoea. Efforts like vitamin A supplementation programs exist, but coverage remains inconsistent.
4. Zinc
Zinc plays a vital role in growth, wound healing, and immune system function. Deficiency leads to stunted growth, frequent infections, delayed wound healing, and increased risk of diarrhoea in children. In Africa, zinc deficiency is particularly severe because staple diets are plant-based, and plant foods have compounds that limit zinc absorption. Addressing zinc deficiency requires dietary diversification and supplementation programs.
5. Iodine
Iodine deficiency causes goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland) and severe developmental delays in children. Pregnant women with iodine deficiency risk giving birth to babies with intellectual disabilities. Although iodised salt programs have reduced iodine deficiency in some regions, inconsistent enforcement and lack of awareness keep the problem alive in rural Nigeria. Strengthening the distribution of iodised salt is essential to combat this deficiency.
Consequences Of Malnutrition

1. Increased Child Mortality
Malnutrition is an underlying cause of nearly 45% of deaths among children under five in Africa. A malnourished child is far more likely to die from common illnesses like diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria. Even if they survive, repeated episodes of disease weaken their development and leave them vulnerable to long-term disabilities. Reducing malnutrition is therefore one of the most effective ways to cut child mortality rates.
2. Impaired Cognitive Development
Children who experience chronic malnutrition often have lower IQs, delayed learning abilities, and reduced school performance. This is because the brain requires adequate nutrients during the first 1,000 days of life (from conception to age two) to develop properly. A stunted child may never fully recover cognitive potential, even if nutrition improves later in life. This has long-term implications for Nigeria’s education systems and workforce productivity.
3. Weakened Immune System
Without proper nutrients, the body cannot mount strong defences against infections. Malnourished individuals suffer more frequent and severe illnesses. Children are often trapped in a cycle where malnutrition makes them sick, and sickness worsens malnutrition, creating a downward spiral. This cycle strains families, healthcare systems, and national resources.
4. Maternal Health Risks
Pregnant women who are malnourished face increased risks of complications during childbirth, stillbirths, and giving birth to low-weight babies. Nutrient deficiencies, such as iron, folate, and calcium, are particularly hazardous during pregnancy. These conditions weaken mothers and endanger the survival of infants. Addressing maternal malnutrition is key to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poor health.
5. Economic Losses
Malnutrition costs Nigeria billions of dollars annually in lost productivity. Workers who are chronically undernourished or anaemic are less productive, more prone to absenteeism, and less capable of contributing effectively to the economy. Children who grow up stunted are less likely to reach their full earning potential. Malnutrition, therefore, slows national economic growth and development.
Efforts To Tackle Malnutrition In Africa And Nigeria
1. Government Interventions
The Nigerian government has launched various strategies, including the National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (NSPAN). This plan emphasises promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, fortifying staple foods like flour and oil, and scaling up community-based nutrition services. Policies also include nutrition-sensitive agriculture programs to encourage food diversification. However, weak implementation and inconsistent funding have limited the impact of these policies.
2. International Support
Global organisations such as UNICEF, WHO, WFP, and FAO provide emergency food aid, supply micronutrient supplements, and support national nutrition programs. The World Bank and donor agencies have also invested in nutrition-focused projects in Nigeria. Emergency feeding programs in conflict-affected regions have saved thousands of children from severe acute malnutrition. Still, reliance on international aid underscores the need for greater national ownership of nutrition solutions.
3. Community-Based Approaches
Grassroots organisations are implementing school feeding programs, women’s empowerment initiatives, and community kitchens. School feeding improves children’s nutrition and increases school attendance, especially for girls. Women’s empowerment programs enable mothers to grow nutritious foods and make better dietary choices for their families. These initiatives are effective because they are adapted to local realities and traditions.
4. Micronutrient Supplementation
Vitamin A supplementation campaigns are conducted annually to reach millions of children under the age of five. Iron and folic acid supplements are distributed to pregnant women to reduce maternal anaemia. In addition, salt iodisation programs have reduced iodine deficiency in many regions. While supplementation is effective, reaching rural communities consistently remains a challenge.
Challenges In Combating Malnutrition

1. Insufficient Funding
Nutrition programs in Nigeria often rely heavily on donor support rather than consistent government budgets. Without dedicated funding, many programs struggle to sustain momentum after international partners withdraw. This makes it challenging to scale up proven interventions nationwide. Until governments prioritise nutrition funding, progress will remain uneven.
2. Weak Infrastructure
Poor roads, limited storage facilities, and weak healthcare systems hinder the delivery of nutrition programs. Perishable food often spoils before reaching rural communities, and health facilities lack staff trained in nutrition. Weak monitoring systems also make it hard to track malnutrition rates and program success. Addressing infrastructure is crucial for improving food distribution and healthcare delivery.
3. Political Instability And Conflict
In Nigeria’s northeast, armed conflict has displaced millions, making them reliant on humanitarian aid. Farms are abandoned, markets are disrupted, and communities face extreme food shortages. Conflict zones also limit humanitarian access, preventing aid workers from reaching those in greatest need. As long as insecurity persists, malnutrition will continue to be widespread in these areas.
4. Rapid Population Growth
Nigeria’s population is growing at one of the fastest rates in the world. Food production and healthcare access are not keeping up with population expansion. This creates greater demand for already scarce resources, worsening food insecurity. Unless population growth is matched by improvements in agriculture and healthcare, malnutrition will persist and deepen.
The Way Forward: Sustainable Solutions
1. Strengthening Agriculture
Investments in climate-smart agriculture can enhance productivity and make farming more resilient to climate-related shocks. Farmers need access to improved seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, and markets to increase yields. Diversifying agriculture beyond staple crops to include vegetables, legumes, and animal proteins is vital for better nutrition. Governments must also support smallholder farmers, who produce the majority of Africa’s food but often remain impoverished.
2. Expanding Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is crucial for changing behaviours related to diet and feeding practices. Public campaigns can encourage exclusive breastfeeding, improved complementary feeding, and balanced diets. Schools can integrate nutrition into their curricula to teach children healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. Changing harmful food taboos through community engagement is also necessary.
3. Implementing Social Protection Programs
Cash transfers, food subsidies, and school feeding programs can directly improve food security in vulnerable households. These programs also protect families from economic shocks that can push them into poverty and hunger. For example, school feeding not only improves nutrition but also increases attendance and reduces dropout rates. Social protection must be scaled up nationwide to cushion millions living in poverty.
4. Strengthening Healthcare And Sanitation
Improving access to primary healthcare ensures that malnutrition is detected and treated early. Expanding vaccination coverage reduces the disease burden that worsens malnutrition. Investments in clean water, sanitation, and hygiene reduce infections, such as diarrhoea, that deplete children’s nutrient reserves. Healthcare workers should also be trained to provide nutrition counselling as part of routine services.
5. Empowering Women And Girls
Empowering women through education and economic opportunities improves household nutrition. Educated mothers are more likely to breastfeed, feed their children balanced diets, and seek healthcare when needed. Women’s access to land and financial services enables them to grow food and support family nutrition. Breaking gender inequality is therefore key to solving malnutrition in Nigeria and Africa.
Is Malnutrition Still a Problem Today?

Yes, malnutrition remains a profound challenge in Nigeria and across Africa.
It robs children of their future, undermines women’s health, burdens healthcare systems, and slows economic growth.
Despite numerous interventions, millions continue to suffer from deficiencies in protein, iron, vitamin A, zinc, and iodine.
The consequences, ranging from stunted growth to reduced productivity, are too severe to ignore.
The path forward requires sustained political will, consistent funding, robust healthcare systems, empowered women, and a resilient agricultural ecosystem.
Communities, governments, and international partners must act together to ensure that no child goes hungry and no mother suffers the consequences of poor nutrition.
Only then can Africa move toward a healthier, more prosperous future where malnutrition is no longer a barrier to progress.