Concerns are mounting over the diversion and misuse of critical child nutrition supplies in Oyo State, raising fears that hard-won progress in reducing malnutrition could be reversed.
The issue came to light as the state government uncovered widespread irregularities in the distribution of nutrition commodities meant for children under the age of two, one of the most vulnerable groups.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, speaking at the inauguration of the Oyo State Aid Diversion Committee, warned that the diversion of these supplies is undermining efforts to tackle malnutrition and safeguard child development.
She said the committee was established following reports that life-saving nutrition commodities were not reaching their intended beneficiaries.
According to Ajetunmobi, the state government, in partnership with UNICEF, contributed funds last year to the Child Nutrition Fund to provide small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements and ready-to-use therapeutic food for children under two.
She explained that the intervention was designed to prevent malnutrition-including severe acute malnutrition, stunting, and wasting-while also providing treatment for affected children.
‘The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are critical for brain development. If proper nutrition is not ensured during this period, it can affect a child’s growth and performance later in life,’ she said.
The commissioner noted that the supplements were procured and distributed across all 33 local government areas through primary healthcare centres.
However, she expressed concern over serious lapses in the distribution process.
‘We discovered a lack of accountability and transparency. Some of these supplements are not reaching the children who need them. In some cases, they are given to children outside the specified age range, diverted, or even sold in markets, despite being meant for free distribution,’ she said.
Ajetunmobi stressed that such practices undermine government efforts and could reverse the progress already recorded in the state.
She revealed that malnutrition rates in Oyo State had dropped significantly-from 34.7 percent to 24.7 percent-and said the government is determined to sustain and improve on these gains.
The newly inaugurated committee includes representatives from the police, the National Orientation Agency, and civil society organisations. Its mandate is to monitor health facilities, investigate reports of diversion, and ensure proper distribution of nutrition commodities.
‘We want full accountability. These supplements must reach the children they are meant for. If they are diverted, the purpose of the programme will be defeated,’ she said.
The commissioner also called on residents to support the initiative by reporting suspicious activities.
‘Let us all be involved. Visit healthcare centres, check the markets, and report if these products are being sold. They are not for sale,’ she urged.
She added that clear distribution and referral systems have been established to ensure eligible children can access the supplements at primary healthcare centres and designated distribution points.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and Chairman of the State Committee on Food Security, Tunde Ayanleke, acknowledged that while progress has been made in reducing stunting, the state still faces challenges with wasting-a more acute form of malnutrition.
He expressed optimism that targeted interventions would address the issue but warned that progress could stall without sustained investment and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
Ayanleke also praised the state government’s role in securing grants under the Child Nutrition Fund in partnership with UNICEF, noting that the intervention has significantly strengthened nutrition programmes.
‘Our state risks missing out if we do not maintain the required level of support. We are appealing for continued backing so that we can benefit again this year,’ he said.
He further disclosed that the state is conducting a general household survey to map poverty levels and better understand the drivers of malnutrition across local government areas.
According to him, the survey will help identify areas contributing most to malnutrition indicators, enabling more targeted interventions.
‘The essence is to know where the problems are most severe so that resources can be directed effectively,’ he added.
Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, described the situation as a systemic problem driven by internal misconduct, warning that it could endanger children’s lives and reverse public health gains.
He recounted disturbing audit findings that illustrate the extent of malpractice.
‘In one instance, officials reported having 30 cartons of supplies. Physically, the cartons were intact. But when auditors opened them, some were filled with stones instead of the actual commodities,’ he revealed.
He added that similar deceptive practices had been uncovered during facility inspections, where health workers allegedly manipulated stock records to evade detection.
Olatunji also cited malpractice in the administration of malaria treatment, where proper diagnostic procedures were bypassed or falsified.
‘We instructed that anti-malaria drugs should not be given without proper testing. But some workers manipulate results. In some cases, positive samples are reused to falsify multiple test kits just to justify drug usage. That is deeply troubling,’ he said.
He emphasised the role of law enforcement in tackling diversion, particularly through market surveillance and local intelligence. He also disclosed plans to strengthen monitoring systems, including the introduction of a dedicated hotline for reporting cases of diversion and malpractice.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola-represented by ACP David Apampa-assured that the command would provide full operational support to ensure accountability in the distribution of critical supplies.
To strengthen coordination, the command called for designated contact persons to liaise directly with security agencies in cases of suspected diversion.
Earlier, Director of Nutrition at the Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr Kadijat Alarape, disclosed that the state received 3,970 cartons of nutrition commodities from UNICEF. Of these, 2,278 cartons have been distributed across all 33 local government areas, while 1,692 cartons remain in storage.
She added that for the treatment of malnourished children, the state received 600 cartons of ready-to-use therapeutic food, with 330 cartons already distributed and 270 cartons still in storage.
Providing further insight, Alarape explained that small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements are intended for children aged six to 18 months to prevent malnutrition during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
She added that severely malnourished children are treated with specialised therapeutic foods, which are often expensive but provided free under the programme.
‘One sachet of therapeutic food can cost about N5,000, and a child may require several sachets weekly. Yet, we have reports of people diverting and selling these products,’ she lamented.