The Plateau State Government’s investment in preventive child nutrition is beginning to show measurable impact, as a free nutrition supplement programme supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) records improved infant growth and reduced malnutrition across parts of Jos and neighbouring local government areas.
The initiative, implemented through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), involves the distribution of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) to children aged 6 to 11 months, an age considered critical for complementary feeding and early development.
Visits to a primary healthcare centre in Jos North LGA revealed that the supplement has been fully integrated into routine maternal and child health services such as immunisation, growth monitoring and nutrition counselling.
Nursing mothers and health workers in Jos North Local Government Area acknowledged that the programme is already making a visible difference .
At the Township Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre in Jos North, beneficiaries described the intervention as timely and life-changing.
One of them, Godiya Steven, whose 7 month old daughter is enrolled in the programme, said the improvement she noticed encouraged her to return for another batch.
“Her weight has increased. The way I used to carry her before is not the same now. If I prepare pap without adding the supplement, she refuses to eat it. But once I add it, she eats very well. There are no side effects at all,” she said.
She urged other mothers to take advantage of the opportunity, stressing that the supplement is free and vital for preventing malnutrition at an early stage.
For Aisha Abdullahi, 27 years old, said she is a first beneficiary and go the new from her friends and decided to attend clinic to enjoy the gift of the the free supplement for her Nine months old son Ahmed, and hope assured that she will ensure she feeds her son well to achieve the benefits.
Another beneficiary, Regina Godwin, said her seven-month-old son, Ethan, has become healthier and more active since she started using SQ-LNS.
“It increases his weight and makes him very active. I mix it with pap, and he enjoys it. I really appreciate the government for this initiative and encourage other mothers to come and collect it because it helps children grow well,” she said.
She however thank the Plateau State Government government for the initiative and called for the Implementation and sustainability of the programme for the benefit of their children.
Health workers at the centre confirmed a steady rise in turnout, with women trooping in from different wards within Jos North. They attributed the surge largely to word-of-mouth testimonies and visible improvements among children already benefiting from the programme.
The Officer-in-Charge of Township PHC, Halima Chantu, described the facility as a major distribution hub for SQ-LNS in the area.
“You can see the number of women coming in daily. We assess the children using the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), and most of them are in the green zone. Their weight and measurements have improved compared to previous visits, which clearly shows that the supplement is working,” she said.
However, she noted that manpower shortage remains a challenge, as the increasing workload requires additional health personnel to sustain effective service delivery.
Explaining the nutritional value of the supplement, the Nutrition Focal Person for Jos North, Nanret Karnap, said SQ-LNS is designed to complement breastfeeding after six months, when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient.
“These supplements are meant for children between six and eleven months, a very critical stage of development. They provide essential nutrients that support healthy growth and brain development,” she explained.
According to her, awareness of the programme was initially low, but community mobilisation and shared experiences among mothers have significantly boosted participation.
“Women who noticed improvements in their children went back to tell others. That is why the turnout has increased massively,” she added.
She disclosed that Jos North currently has two SQ-LNS distribution centres—Township PHC in Tafawa Balewa Ward and Nasarawa PHC in Naraguta Ward—with some facilities now serving over 400 caregivers weekly. Each enrolled child receives one sachet daily, amounting to 30 sachets per month.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Jennifer Samson, said the programme has also reduced her financial burden.
“I add it to pap, and my baby eats better and is more active. It has helped reduce my usual spending on feeding,” she said.
Providing insight into the funding structure, the Plateau State Deputy Nutrition Officer, Silas Nansel, said the current SQ-LNS supply was procured from an initial ₦200 million released by the Plateau State Government and matched by UNICEF through the Child Nutrition Fund.
“This is a government-led intervention supported by development partners. The focus is early prevention, so children do not progress to moderate or severe malnutrition,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that visits to health facilities across the area recorded consistently high uptake, growing awareness and encouraging improvements in child growth indicators, signalling a positive shift in the fight against infant malnutrition in Plateau State.
