Child malnutrition is one of the most pressing public health challenges in Nigeria. Its consequences are far-reaching; weakening children, burdening families, and cutting short the potential of an entire generation. The causes are multifaceted, ranging from inadequate food intake and disease to poor feeding and care practices. Yet one thing is clear: preventing and treating malnutrition is essential to reducing child mortality and giving children a fair chance to thrive.

This is the story of Sherifat

At just 10 months old, Sherifat was referred to Lagos Food Bank by someone in her community. Her mother brought her on one of our outreach days, joining other mothers with their children. Quiet and withdrawn, her mother barely spoke, but her face revealed a mix of helplessness and despair.

Our nutrition team carefully assessed Adaeze. She weighed only 4.5 kg, with a MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) of 10.4 cm. These measurements together with other physical signs confirmed that Adaeze was suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

She was immediately enrolled into our NUMEPLAN program. We began by reassuring her mother, showing success stories of other children who had passed through the program and were now healthy and thriving. Hope, though faint, began to return to her eyes.

Adaeze was provided with fortified foods, and her mother received hands-on nutrition education, learning how to use locally available foods to meet her daughter’s nutritional needs, prepare meals safely, and practice good hygiene to prevent infections that could slow recovery.

Follow-up visits were scheduled every two weeks. At each visit, her mother received more food supplies, practical guidance, and encouragement from our nutrition team. With commitment, she embraced responsive feeding and care practices and carefully followed the meal plans.

Gradually, Adaeze regained her vitality. By the time she turned 15 months, she had reached a healthier weight of 7 kg, and her MUAC had risen above the undernutrition mark to 12.5 cm. She was officially discharged from the program – a strong and healthy child with a brighter future ahead.

Today, Adaeze’s story is one of hope. It reminds us that with the right and timely nutrition intervention every child has the chance not just to survive, but to thrive.