NGX, Lagos Government, HEI Unite to Combat Child Malnutrition

In a bold step to address the growing challenge of child malnutrition in Nigeria, the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), the Lagos State Government, and the Human Edge Initiative (HEI) have joined forces to implement a coordinated strategy aimed at improving child nutrition and promoting public health awareness across the state.The partnership, announced in Lagos, is focused on strengthening nutrition education, supporting food security initiatives, and providing resources to vulnerable children and families. The collaboration comes as Nigeria continues to battle rising food prices and inflationary pressures that have worsened the nutritional status of millions of children, particularly in low-income communities.

Speaking during the official launch of the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of NGX, Temi Popoola, emphasised the critical role of corporate institutions in addressing social issues such as malnutrition. He stated that the NGX, through its sustainability and corporate social responsibility agenda, is committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 — Zero Hunger.

“Malnutrition remains one of the biggest health and developmental challenges facing Nigeria today. As an organisation deeply rooted in the nation’s economic growth, we recognise our responsibility to contribute to solutions that ensure children have access to proper nutrition and opportunities for a healthy future,” Popoola said.

Representing the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, commended the NGX and HEI for their initiative and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to fighting child malnutrition. He noted that the government had introduced several community-based programmes targeting maternal and child health, adding that public-private partnerships are essential to achieving meaningful impact.

“Child malnutrition is not just a health problem — it is a development problem that affects learning, productivity, and the overall well-being of future generations. Lagos State is implementing a multi-sectoral nutrition policy that integrates education, health, and agriculture. Partnerships like this one are vital to reaching more children in need,” Abayomi said.

The Human Edge Initiative (HEI), a non-governmental organisation specialising in health advocacy and social development, highlighted that malnutrition accounts for nearly half of under-five deaths in Nigeria. According to HEI’s Executive Director, Dr. Adeola Olayemi, the project will focus on early childhood nutrition, school feeding support, and community sensitisation to tackle both acute and chronic malnutrition.

“We are adopting a holistic approach that combines education, healthcare support, and food access. By working with both public and private stakeholders, we can create sustainable systems that not only address hunger but also improve overall community resilience,” Olayemi stated.

Data from UNICEF shows that Nigeria is home to one of the highest numbers of malnourished children globally, with over 17 million under-five children suffering from stunting, wasting, or underweight conditions. The situation is further exacerbated by poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate healthcare services, particularly in rural areas.

Experts have warned that if not urgently addressed, malnutrition could have long-term consequences on the country’s economic and social development, as children who suffer from poor nutrition are more likely to experience delayed cognitive growth and reduced productivity in adulthood.

The joint initiative by NGX, Lagos State, and HEI includes key action points such as the establishment of community nutrition centres, awareness campaigns on balanced diets, and partnerships with food companies to promote the production and distribution of fortified foods. The programme also aims to engage schools and parents through nutrition education sessions designed to teach practical ways of improving meal quality with locally available foods.

As part of the project’s rollout, a pilot scheme will begin in select local government areas of Lagos State where malnutrition rates are highest. The scheme will provide nutritional supplements, regular health screenings, and capacity-building for community health workers.

The collaboration has received commendation from stakeholders in the health and development sectors. The President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Professor Wasiu Afolabi, applauded the move, noting that a multi-sectoral approach is the only way to sustainably tackle child malnutrition. He urged other corporate organisations to emulate NGX’s example and invest in social programmes that directly impact the lives of children.

He said, “Private sector participation is critical in achieving nutrition security. What NGX and its partners are doing sets a precedent for how businesses can leverage their influence and resources for national development. The future of Nigeria depends on the health of its children.”

The NGX reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its social impact through strategic collaborations. It also emphasised that improving nutrition aligns with its broader sustainability vision to support human capital development, social inclusion, and community resilience.

With this initiative, the NGX, Lagos State Government, and HEI are demonstrating that the fight against child malnutrition requires joint effort — bridging the gap between business, governance, and civil society. If sustained and scaled, experts believe the project could significantly reduce the number of malnourished children in Nigeria and serve as a model for other states and corporate organisations to follow.