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A new WHO guideline points out weak monitoring and enforcement in Nigeria’s school feeding program.
TheDigger Intelligence Unit
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging Nigeria to improve its school feeding policies. The agency warns that millions of children are still at risk of poor diets, even though the government has tried to expand the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).
In its new global guideline released Tuesday, WHO called for countries to use a whole-school approach to food provision. The agency says schools are key to addressing what it calls a “double burden of malnutrition”: rising childhood obesity along with ongoing undernutrition.
Nigeria’s School Feeding Ambition
Nigeria’s NHGSFP started in 2005 and has grown under different governments. Today, it serves millions of pupils in public primary schools. The program aims to boost enrolment, attendance, and nutrition, while also helping local farmers and cooks.
Government officials say the program has led to more children attending school, especially in rural areas. However, nutrition experts point out that the meals often do not meet WHO’s recommended standards and lack enough protein and micronutrients.
Malnutrition in Numbers
Nigeria has one of the highest child malnutrition rates in Africa. UNICEF reports that 36% of Nigerian children under five are stunted, meaning they are too short for their age. Wasting, where children are underweight for their height, and micronutrient deficiencies are also common. In cities, childhood obesity is rising, showing that Nigeria faces both undernutrition and obesity at the same time, just as WHO warns.
Accountability Concerns
Civil society groups have often raised concerns about transparency in the NHGSFP. Reports from ActionAid Nigeria and other watchdogs point to problems with funding, poor checks on food quality, and cases where cooks are underpaid or meal sizes are cut.
WHO’s guidelines make it clear that having policies is not enough. “Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are essential for effective and consistent implementation,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
Comparative Lessons from Africa
Nigeria is not alone in facing these challenges, but some other African countries have taken stronger steps to improve accountability:
Kenya’s national school feeding programme integrates community monitoring committees that daily track food quality. Independent audits are conducted annually, and meals are fortified with micronutrients to meet WHO standards.
The Ghana School Feeding Programme has introduced digital monitoring tools that enable real-time reporting on meal distribution and quality. This has reduced leakages and improved transparency.
By linking school feeding directly to farmer cooperatives, Malawi ensures both nutritional diversity and local economic empowerment. Community ownership has made the programme more sustainable.
Experts believe Nigeria can learn from these examples by involving communities in oversight, using digital monitoring, and making sure meals are fortified with nutrients.
Experts’ Opinions
Nutrition advocates in Abuja say Nigeria needs to do more than make political promises. “We cannot continue to feed children with meals that fill the stomach but fail to nourish the body,” said Dr Olumide Adebayo, a public health expert. “Kenya and Ghana show that accountability and innovation can make school feeding truly transformative.”
The Road Ahead
WHO says it will help member states, including Nigeria, with technical support to use the new guidelines. But now, Nigerian authorities need to act. With millions of children relying on school meals every day, Nigeria must close the gap between policy goals and real nutrition by focusing on accountability, community involvement, and better food in schools to protect the next generation.
