Dr. Foluso Balogun, a pediatrician at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, recently reported a resurgence of kwashiorkor cases among children in southwest Nigeria, something unseen in the region for years.
Kwashiorkor, a severe protein-deficiency disorder, typically affects young children who consume diets low in calories and protein, particularly from weaning age until around five years. This illness is commonly observed in impoverished areas with high starvation rates.
Dr. Balogun expressed concern, linking this rise in malnutrition to the current economic hardships in Nigeria. “Last year, pediatricians in the north reported a surge in malnutrition cases among children. Now, we are experiencing it here as well. This is evidence of a severe economic impact; people are struggling to feed their children,” he told the Saturday Tribune.
Balogun warned that malnutrition affects not only young children’s immediate health but also has long-term impacts, particularly for girls. Prolonged malnutrition leads to stunted growth and delayed puberty, preventing adolescent girls from reaching appropriate weights at the right stages of their development.
UNICEF has reported that Nigeria has the world’s second-highest burden of stunted children, with 32% of children under five affected. Data from last year showed that 35 million children under five were malnourished in Nigeria; 12 million experienced stunted growth, 3 million suffered from wasting (rapid weight loss), and 23.5 million were anemic.
According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Nigeria ranked 109th out of 125 countries, with a score of 28.3%, indicating severe food insecurity based on child undernourishment, wasting, stunting, and mortality rates.
Balogun emphasized the critical period within the first five years of life, during which brain development occurs. He explained that malnourished children tend to have lower IQs, which affects their productivity as adults. Malnutrition also weakens immunity, making children more vulnerable to common infections such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea, which are more likely to be fatal in malnourished children. With the current hunger crisis, Balogun warned that Nigeria may struggle to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Addressing SDGs 3 and 4, Balogun noted the rising dropout rates in schools as families are unable to afford the increased tuition fees since classes resumed in September. Health access is similarly strained; treating malaria now costs nearly 4,000 Naira, and insecticides for mosquito prevention are about 6,000 Naira, both of which are unaffordable for many families.
He explained, “With nutrition compromised, children’s health and education are at risk. This situation is creating a foundation for further crises, such as poor brain development, low IQ, and severe malnutrition.”
Dr. Olutosin Awolude, a consultant gynecologist at UCH, highlighted the need for pregnant women to maintain balanced diets, as adequate protein is vital for fetal development and maternal health. To cope with rising food prices, Awolude recommended that women turn to local food sources and be creative in meal preparation.
Economic factors are also shifting dietary habits in Nigeria. Animal proteins, particularly meat and fish, are essential for growth due to their rich nutrient content, including iron, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent various diseases.
However, due to inflation, the depreciated Naira, and reduced purchasing power, these proteins are becoming less accessible. In March 2024, the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics reported that foods derived from animals had become the costliest items, with the price of a healthy adult meal nearing 1,000 Naira.
The impact of rising prices is evident in the cattle industry as well. Cattle traders have reported low patronage due to high transportation costs, which have risen since the removal of fuel subsidies. Alongside other inflationary pressures, these factors have driven up the price of meat, making it unaffordable for many Nigerians.
To counter the high cost of animal protein, Professor Diran Oyewole from the University of Ibadan’s College of Medicine suggested alternative protein sources such as crickets and termites, along with plant-based proteins.
He advised Nigerians to incorporate beans, melon seeds, groundnuts, and locust beans into meals as cost-effective protein substitutes, especially for households with young children.
Oyewole also recommended backyard farming as a solution to improve household nutrition. Additionally, he urged the government to enforce stricter safety standards for food vendors, highlighting recent reports of unsafe practices such as cooking with paracetamol or using spoiled ingredients.
At the community level, Oyewole encouraged families to explore local food combinations that maximize nutrient intake.
He explained that dietary diversity—including local vegetables and plant-based proteins—can help families meet their nutritional needs amid rising costs. Indigenous vegetables such as African nightshade (known as odu in Yoruba), eggplant (igbagba), scarlet eggplant, fluted pumpkin, and local amaranth (tete a tetedaye) are highly nutritious, affordable, and effective for preventing various health issues.
He concluded by adding that balancing dietary needs with budget constraints is essential in these challenging times. By emphasizing indigenous foods and plant-based proteins, Nigerians can sustain healthier diets despite the economic crisis.
