Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), has scaled up its flagship community nutrition programme, Project BLOOM (Bringing Life to Our Overlooked Minors), extending its reach to Ajegunle under Lagos State Health District V. The second phase of the intervention impacted over 120 children, alongside their mothers and caregivers.
Held at the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, the Ajegunle outreach builds on the measurable success recorded in the pilot phase at Yaba’s Aiyetoro Primary Health Centre, where hundreds of children were screened and more than 61 percent were identified as needing urgent medical care. Follow-up monitoring from the pilot revealed that over 48 percent of these children have since recovered significantly, regaining healthy weight and vitality.
At the Ajegunle session, children were provided with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) and received comprehensive health checks, while mothers and caregivers participated in nutrition education sessions focused on preparing low-cost, nutritious meals and maintaining good hygiene practices. Screening results showed that 69 children were moderately malnourished, 29 severely malnourished, and another 24 at risk, underscoring the importance of early detection and sustained follow-up care through Primary Health Centres.
Over 20 NGX Group employees volunteered alongside district health officials, assisting with screenings, data collection, and caregiver training. The Exchange said this hands-on participation reflects its commitment to deepening corporate social responsibility and promoting employee-led community development.
Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, said the results demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated interventions in addressing child malnutrition.
‘Seeing 48.8 percent of the children identified with malnutrition now in recovery, and others steadily improving, is truly inspiring. It affirms that our partnership with Health Emergency Initiative and the Lagos State Government is driving real, measurable change in our communities. For us at NGX Group, building strong capital markets goes hand in hand with building strong communities, because inclusive growth and social well-being are the true foundations of a resilient economy,’ he said.
Executive Director of HEI, Dr. Pascal Achunine, described the expansion as a timely response to the challenges uncovered during the pilot phase.
‘The first outreach revealed the depth of the malnutrition crisis and the power of swift, coordinated action. These results show that when the public and private sectors collaborate with urgency and compassion, we can save lives and restore hope,’ he stated.
Also speaking, Dr. Oladeinde Ebenezer Oluwaseun, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, representing the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Ashiyanbi, lauded NGX Group and HEI for their ‘unwavering commitment to restoring hope to vulnerable families,’ noting that the initiative aligns with the state government’s ongoing nutrition and child health programmes.
Project BLOOM supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through measurable impact, employee engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.
With two successful outreaches completed, NGX Group said it plans to scale Project BLOOM across other underserved communities in Lagos, with a long-term goal of reaching thousands of children and strengthening community health resilience.