Adamawa State Launches Capacity Building Workshop for LGA Committees on Food and Nutrition

The Adamawa State Planning Commission, in collaboration with UNICEF, today commenced a landmark two-day Capacity Building Workshop for Local Government Area (LGA) Committees on Food and Nutrition, targeting all 21 LGAs across Adamawa State. The workshop, being delivered in batches, represents a major step forward in the State’s commitment to tackling malnutrition and strengthening nutrition governance at the grassroots level.

The first batch of the workshop brought together participants drawn from seven (7) LGAs in the Central Zone of Adamawa State — Gombi, Song, Girei, Fufore, Yola North, Yola South, and Mayo-Belwa. Each LGA was represented by eight key stakeholders, including the LGA Vice Chairperson (who serves as Chair of the LGA Committee on Nutrition), the Nutrition Focal Person, Director of Works, Director of Agriculture, Executive Secretary of Primary Healthcare, Director of Budget, Executive Secretary of Local Education Authority, Chairmen of Ward Development Committees, and the Director of Nutrition.
The opening ceremony was graced by senior government officials and development partners, including the Executive Chairman and Permanent Secretary of the Adamawa State Planning Commission, Directors from the Commission, the UNICEF Representative, and the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, represented by the Director of Local Government.

The session was formally opened with a welcome remark delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the Adamawa State Planning Commission, who underscored the critical importance of building the capacity of LGA-level committees to drive nutrition outcomes at the community level. The Executive Chairman of the Commission followed with a comprehensive overview of the workshop’s objectives, emphasising the State Government’s resolve to leave no LGA behind in the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition.

A goodwill message from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, delivered by the Director of Local Government, reaffirmed the Ministry’s full support for the initiative, noting that empowered LGA committees are essential to translating state-level nutrition policies into tangible community impact.

Technical Sessions and Presentations
Participants received a presentation on the updated Adamawa State Nutrition Situation Report for January 2026, delivered by the State DSNO, which provided a current overview of the nutrition landscape across the State and highlighted priority areas requiring urgent attention.
The technical training segment was delivered by Ms. Jessica Bartholomew, a seasoned nutrition consultant, who led participants through three key presentations: an introduction to the basics of the nutrition package, a detailed exposition of the Adamawa State Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition, and an overview of the Adamawa State Nutrition Policy. Ms. Bartholomew’s sessions were interactive and practical, equipping participants with the foundational knowledge required to effectively execute their roles on the LGA Nutrition Committees.

The first day of the workshop concluded with a lively plenary discussion, a question-and-answer session, and a structured review of lessons learned. Participants expressed enthusiasm for the training and called for sustained capacity-building support to enable them to champion nutrition-sensitive programming in their respective LGAs.
The workshop continues tomorrow with the second day of training. Subsequent batches covering the remaining LGAs in the Northern and Southern zones of Adamawa State are expected to follow in the coming weeks.