Why Northern Nigeria’s Food-Producing States Still Have High Child Stunting Rates

Child stunting remains a serious public-health concern in Northern Nigeria, where 11 of the 12 states with the highest reported rates are located. Figures cited from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey place Katsina at 65%, Zamfara at 64% and Bauchi at 62%. The figures are troubling because the North is a major producer of grains, livestock and other agricultural commodities. High food production, however, does not always guarantee that children receive enough diverse, nutritious meals. Poverty, insecurity, poor access to healthcare, unsafe water, poor sanitation and limited maternal nutrition education can all drive chronic malnutrition. Governments and communities need to pair agricultural output with stronger maternal and child nutrition services, clean water, healthcare, poverty reduction and better household access to nutritious food. The true test of agricultural success is not only the quantity of food produced, but whether children are healthy enough to grow, learn and thrive.

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