The fight against toddler malnutrition in Nigeria took a significant step forward with the official launch of the Community Pot Nutrition Support Centre (NSC).
Held at the Institute of Child Health, University of Ibadan, UCH, Ibadan, Oyo State, the event brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders from government, the business community, healthcare professionals, and local representatives, unified in their commitment to addressing this public health challenge.
The launch was marked by a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony led by a representative of the Institute of Child Health, Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Folusho Balogun, signifying the start of a coordinated effort to combat malnutrition.
To further amplify its message, a sensitisation jingle was unveiled, highlighting the critical link between childhood malnutrition and underlying health conditions.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Oyo State’s Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, Mrs. Bolaji Ayoola, Director of Nursing Services at Oyo State Health Management Board, commended Community Pot for its transformative work. She stressed the urgency of health education, starting at the ante-natal stage, to equip mothers with the knowledge necessary to make informed nutritional choices.
“While many women have the financial capacity to purchase food, the gap often lies in understanding the nutritional composition of these foods,” Ayoola stated, calling for partnerships with primary health centers to expand nutrition education programs.
Supporting Ayoola’s statement, FoodSafety4Africa Project Coordinator and Scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Titilayo Falade, underscored the critical role of education in addressing malnutrition. She highlighted ignorance as a major contributor to the crisis and called for targeted campaigns to tackle stigma, which often prevents parents from seeking help at community centers.
“Parents may feel ashamed of their children’s malnourished appearance or frequent illnesses,” she explained, emphasising that awareness and education are key to breaking these barriers and connecting families with essential nutritional and healthcare resources.
Speaking on the business aspect of NSC for mothers, to ensure sustainability, Managing Director and CEO of Renee Golden Multi-Ventures, Adenike Apeji, also known as ‘Iya kulikuli’ spotlighted the role of business in addressing malnutrition through innovation and collaboration.
Drawing from her experience with creating the kuli peanut snack, she explained how local ingredients could be used to produce affordable, nutrient-rich foods that resonate culturally and economically.
Apeji also called for deeper partnerships between businesses, governments, and distributors to ensure wider access to nutritious products, particularly in underserved communities. She stressed the importance of sustainability and mentoring future leaders to maintain momentum in tackling malnutrition.
Founder and Team Lead of Community Pot, Mrs. Oluwakemi Jeje, described the NSC as a transformative initiative that leverages existing resources—human, material, and institutional—to combat malnutrition effectively.
According to her, malnutrition affects 37% of toddlers in Nigeria, with devastating consequences for academic and economic progress. She however outlined the NSC’s ambitious goals, which include nourishing 10 million toddlers and establishing 20,000 centers nationwide.
Jeje challenged stakeholders to shift their mindset from dependence on external aid to harnessing local resources and taking collective responsibility. “The NSC is more than a center; it is a system built to ensure no child is left behind,” she asserted, envisioning a future where malnutrition becomes a thing of the past.
Community Pot is a social impact project dedicated to improving the nutrition and health of malnourished children in Nigeria. Since 2022, Community Pot has been a pillar of hope, serving over 500 children in underserved communities across Lagos with specialised, organic protein meals from Whole Eats.
Through this initiative, we’ve seen the transformative impact of balanced nutrition on young lives. Every child deserves access to nutritious food and adequate healthcare.