In Plateau State, a new fight against child malnutrition is gathering momentum. Soon, mothers will begin receiving a small sachet of paste called Small Quantity Lipid Based Nutrient Supplement (SQ LNS) for their young children. The 20 gram packet, which looks like an ordinary snack, is in fact a powerful intervention designed to save lives, close nutrition gaps, and give children a fair chance at growth and survival.
At a recent media dialogue in Jos, nutrition experts, government officials, and journalists discussed the state’s nutrition crisis. Their message was clear: malnutrition is preventable, and prevention costs far less than treatment.
The Burden No Child Should Bear
“Nigeria has more than 38 million children under five that’s larger than the entire population of Ghana,” said Irene Philomena, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist at the Bauchi Field Office, who facilitated the dialogue. “Yet 15 million of these children are stunted, 10 million wasted, and 12 million anemic. No child should die of malnutrition.”
Plateau mirrors this national crisis. According to the 2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS): 46.4% of children are stunted,
4.8% wasted,
22.3% anemic,
22.3% of women of childbearing age also anemic and Under five mortality stands at 105 per 1,000 live births.
Behind these figures are fragile toddlers unable to walk, infants who fail to thrive, and mothers who carry the grief of preventable loss.
Why Prevention Matters
The cost of inaction is high. UNICEF estimates it takes about ₦21,000 to prevent malnutrition in a child, compared with ₦198,000 to treat severe cases.
“Every one dollar invested in nutrition yields sixteen dollars in productivity,” Irene explained. “Prevention is always cheaper than cure. That is why SQ LNS is such a game changer.”
What SQ LNS Offers
SQ LNS is a daily nutrient rich paste for children between 6 and 23 months the critical window when babies move from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods. It blends groundnut paste, milk, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals.
It is not a meal replacement but a dietary boost. Evidence from global studies on 37,000 children shows SQ LNS can: Reduce child mortality by 27%, Cut severe wasting by 31%, Lower stunting by 17%, Slash iron deficiency anemia by 64% and Improve child development outcomes by nearly 20%.
Plateau’s Bold Step
Plateau has taken the lead by directly investing in nutrition. The state government contributed $200,000, which UNICEF matched, to procure over 5,900 cartons of SQ LNS. Distribution is expected to begin soon, integrated with immunization and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counseling.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has pledged to increase support to ₦500 million next year. Local production partnerships in Kano are also being explored to cut costs, reduce delays, and create jobs.
Silas Nansel, Nutrition Officer at the Plateau State Primary Health Care Development Board, said the intervention is timely. “Malnutrition is still a challenge, but with government investment, the picture is changing. Once SQ LNS is rolled out, it will go a long way in reducing the burden of malnutrition in Plateau State.”
Inside the Health Facilities: Voices from Parents and Health Workers
At the Family Planning Unit of the Plateau State Primary Health Care Centre, Bukuru Expressway, new parents and health workers are already pushing boundaries in child nutrition through awareness and support.
Mr. Eric Jimwan, a first time father, said he attends antenatal visits with his wife and ensures she follows health workers’ advice. “Some of the foods recommended, I personally go out to buy them so she can feed well. I also encourage other men to support their wives. The result has been tremendous—our baby has never had any health issues apart from routine vaccines.”
For health officials, the focus is on continuous education. Mr. Yerima Jacob, Chief Nursing Officer at the facility, explained: “We emphasize exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care, then teach mothers how to introduce complementary feeding. The women here comply well, and the children who come back for follow ups are usually healthy.”