The Kukah Centre has raised concerns about the spending habits of Nigerians, particularly on unhealthy lifestyles, even as the country faces significant economic hardship. At a recent Strategic Dialogue on Nutrition organized in collaboration with the World Bank, Rev. Fr. Attah Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre, highlighted the growing issue of poor financial management among Nigerians, which he believes exacerbates malnutrition and other societal challenges.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, Barkindo expressed alarm over the tendency of many Nigerians to spend their limited resources on items such as beer, pepper soup, and cigarettes, rather than investing in proper nutrition and family well-being. “People still use their money to eat the wrong things,” he remarked. “Despite complaints of economic hardship, many are still spending recklessly. It’s a question of redirecting resources toward more meaningful and necessary expenses.”
The Kukah Centre, a policy research and leadership institute founded by Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has long been focused on addressing critical issues such as poverty and malnutrition in Nigeria. Malnutrition, particularly among children, has become a growing concern. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, 37% of children under five in Nigeria experience stunted growth due to poor nutrition and inadequate breastfeeding.
While economic difficulties are often cited as the root cause of malnutrition, Barkindo believes the issue is more deeply connected to the value system and financial management of the people. He emphasized that even amid financial constraints, many Nigerians still find ways to build houses and maintain other expensive lifestyles. “It’s about taking responsibility and prioritizing what matters,” he argued.
Barkindo shared a striking example of how societal values can impact financial choices, recounting a story of a man who, after visiting an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, married four wives from different camps. “This speaks to the deeper issue of our value system. It’s not just about economic hardship; it’s about how we choose to use our resources,” he said.
The dialogue also focused on the role of faith leaders in addressing malnutrition. Barkindo called on religious leaders across the country to use their platforms to promote better nutrition and breastfeeding practices. He stressed the importance of this message, not only as a biological necessity but also as a spiritual responsibility. “Your voices hold power,” he said, urging clerics to talk about nutrition in their sermons and among their congregations.
Barkindo also shared a personal anecdote from his own upbringing in Northern Nigeria. As the eighth child in a family of 15, he witnessed firsthand the challenges of malnutrition. “I often ask myself how we managed to survive,” he recalled, adding that many families across Nigeria face similar struggles today, with children competing for limited resources and opportunities.
The Kukah Centre’s call to action is part of a broader effort to address malnutrition through the World Bank-funded ‘Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria’ project. Swanta Anna, Project Officer at the Kukah Centre, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that the World Bank has invested $232 million to support nutrition programs in Nigeria. “This is a critical period in the life of every child,” she said, urging the audience to take the project seriously and work together to improve nutrition outcomes in the country.
Leave a comment