For thousands of families across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, the struggle to feed and nourish their children is becoming more difficult by the day. Health experts now warn that the situation could worsen, with over 500,000 children at risk of severe wasting in the region.
This concern was brought to the fore during the presentation of the 2025 Nutrition SMART Survey in Sokoto, where government officials, health workers and development partners gathered to review the state of child nutrition.
Presenting the findings, UNICEF Nutrition Data Officer, Edward Kotundo, painted a worrying picture. According to him, more than one in every ten children under five in Sokoto and Kebbi is already suffering from wasting, while Zamfara is not far behind.
Behind these figures are real stories—children who are too weak to play, mothers who cannot provide balanced meals, and communities grappling with poverty, insecurity and limited access to healthcare.
The report also revealed widespread stunting across the three states, a condition that affects children’s physical and mental development over time, often with lifelong consequences.
The findings align with earlier projections by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which warned of a looming nutrition crisis in the North-West if urgent steps are not taken.
Speaking on behalf of the UNICEF Sokoto Field Office Chief, Michael Juma, Kotundo acknowledged the efforts of partners working on the ground but stressed that more needs to be done to reach vulnerable families.
Also speaking, the Director of Medical Services at Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Services, Muhammad Abubakar Kaura, noted that the three states share similar challenges, making collective action essential.
Participants at the workshop agreed that beyond statistics, the crisis demands urgent, people-focused solutions—improved access to nutrition services, community awareness, and sustained government commitment.
For many families in the region, the hope is simple: that their children will not only survive, but grow healthy and strong.
