The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has shed light on a concerning revelation. In a recent survey, Nigeria emerges as the country grappling with the second-highest malnutrition rate globally. This revelation was brought forth by Anne Patterson, the Director of the USAID Mission, during her address at the Trade Fair for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods and Other Life-Saving Nutrition Commodities in Abuja, held on Wednesday.Patterson, drawing from the Food Consumption and Micronutrients Survey of 2021, disclosed a disconcerting shift in the landscape of childhood malnutrition in Nigeria. The prevalence of severe acute malnutrition among Nigerian children has surged from seven percent to a worrying 12 percent over the span of the past five years.Addressing the implications of this data, Patterson emphasized the gravity of the situation, deeming Nigeria as the second-most affected nation in terms of malnutrition. She further unveiled that a mere 2.8 percent of afflicted children had been granted access to ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) within the preceding year. These figures, as she cautioned, are indeed a cause for alarm.In the midst of this disconcerting reality, glimmers of hope emerge from local sources. Notable Nigerian producers, including Ariel Foods, Emzor Foods, DABS, and Nutri-K, have displayed the capacity to manufacture nutrition commodities that adhere to international standards. Patterson lauded their efforts as proof that the country possesses the capability to provide these essential resources.Patterson also highlighted the burgeoning collaboration between the United States Government and the private sector in combating malnutrition. She cited the recent partnership forged with Emzor Food and Beverages to establish a state-of-the-art groundnut paste processing facility, a development poised to fortify the fight against malnutrition.As the event unfolded, the call for coordinated efforts reverberated. Nebeolisa Anako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Planning, underscored the colossal burden of malnutrition and urged collective action to tackle the issue. Faniran Sanjo, representing the UN Food Systems Transformation Pathways for Nigeria, echoed this sentiment, expressing an intent to identify prioritized actions for governments across all levels to facilitate the production and distribution of RUTF.In a country where malnutrition’s grip tightens, these revelations underscore the urgent need for multi-faceted cooperation and intervention. As stakeholders converge to address this pressing issue, the resilience and capacity of Nigeria’s public and private sectors stand poised to be transformative agents in the battle for improved health, education, and economic development.