The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of $232 million (approximately ₦350 billion) allocated to the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) program.
The resolution followed a motion presented on Thursday, December 12, 2024, by Hon. Chike John Okafor, Ph.D., representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State and Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security.
The ANRiN program, launched in 2018, is a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at combating malnutrition and improving nutrition outcomes across Nigeria.
It was expected to achieve its objectives by December 2024, focusing on vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under five years old.
The program was rolled out in 12 states, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, and Plateau, as a performance-based project delivering cost-effective nutrition services.
Hon. Okafor raised concerns about the program’s implementation during plenary, noting that despite the significant financial commitment, Nigeria’s nutrition indicators have not improved.
“The program appears to be a case of ‘water, water everywhere but no water to drink,’” Hon. Okafor stated.
He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in managing such large-scale initiatives.
He cited the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey, pointing out that rates of under-five stunting and malnutrition have worsened, questioning the program’s effectiveness.
The House has directed its Committees on Nutrition and Food Security, Finance, Aids, Loans, Debt Management, and Judiciary to investigate the utilization of the World Bank loan.
The committees have been tasked with examining the program’s implementation and reporting back within four weeks.
Relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Bank, and officials from the 12 beneficiary states, have been summoned to provide documents and insights to aid the investigation.
Hon. Okafor stressed the importance of addressing the challenges hindering the success of the ANRiN program to ensure future nutrition interventions are not derailed by similar issues.
