Hidden Hunger Burden and Policy Responses in Nigeria: Implications for Attainment of The Sustainable Development Goal 2

The study analyzed the trend, sources and causes of hidden hunger in Nigeria and thereafter x-rayed the government policies to address hidden hunger and attain the SDG 2 by 2030. Institutional data (from WHO, FAO and World Bank) covering 1990 to 2018 were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive methods, trend analysis, inferential statistics (correlation analysis, t test and ANOVA). It was found that hunger situation in Nigeria (GHI) and proportion of undernourished was improving after attainment of democratic stability in 1990 till 2013, but by 2015, with the toll of economic recession, worsened. There was a high correlation between the proportion of undernourished in the population and the prevalence of stunting in children under five years in the country. The percent of adults obesity rose from 2010 to 2016, and indicated that more females were suffering obesity than their male counterparts. The most prevalent disease by cause were protein-energy malnutrition and iron-deficiency anaemia. The highest cause of death from hidden hunger arose from protein-energy malnutrition and Iodine deficiency in absolute terms while the trend of growth for Iodine deficiency related deaths gave a negative prevalence from 2000 to 2016. Nigeria had implemented a couple of initiatives targeted at reducing hidden hunger including bio-fortification of major staples and sugar with Vitamin A, and inclusion of Iodine in salts in addition to launch of some food and nutrition policies and other frameworks. Eight recommendations were made based on findings need for Government to create an enabling environment to improve access to local availability of micronutrient-rich foods; engaging relevant stakeholders to arrive at a common understanding of how national policies will be deployed in reducing undernutrition and elimination of gender barriers to learning and nutrition-based programmes among others.