The Health and Lifestyle Awareness Development Initiative (HLADI) proudly participated in the 4-day Nutrition Budget Tagging Refresher Workshop, held from September 23–26, 2024, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
The workshop strengthened the capacity of nutrition stakeholders in Public Financial Management (PFM) and improved the use of the Nutrition Budget Tagging (NBT) System across Nigeria.
Workshop Overview and Objectives
The workshop brought together representatives from nutrition-relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from six priority states:
- Akwa Ibom
- Abia
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Nasarawa
- Plateau
Additional states—including Kogi, Niger, and Oyo—were also represented, expanding the diversity of discussions and peer learning.
The primary goal of the workshop was to enhance collaboration among stakeholders and strengthen competencies in:
- Nutrition planning
- Budgeting
- Financial tracking
- Implementation of national nutrition commitments
Who Attended the Workshop?
The event featured a broad mix of high-level and technical participants, including:
- Representatives from HLADI
- Members of State Nutrition Expert Working Groups (SNEWGs)
- Program planners, budget officers, and implementers
- Civil society organizations and NGOs
- Development partners
- Officials from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning
- Representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)
- Technical experts from the World Bank
This diverse participation enriched the sessions with practical insights, field experiences, and policy perspectives.
HLADI’s Active Engagement
HLADI contributed meaningfully throughout the four days by:
- Participating in breakout discussions
- Sharing field experiences in nutrition program budgeting
- Identifying challenges and opportunities within state-level budget processes
- Exchanging best practices in budget transparency, tracking, and reporting
HLADI’s input strengthened the conversations on how civil society organizations can support nutrition financing and accountability.
Key Learnings and Workshop Insights
Participants left the workshop with strengthened knowledge of nutrition budgeting systems and practical tools for implementation. Major takeaways included:
1. Priority Nutrition Interventions
A review of interventions under the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition (NMPFAN) and how they align with state budgets.
2. Public Financial Management (PFM) Systems
Clear guidance on how PFM structures can be effectively used to support and track nutrition budget lines.
3. Nutrition Budget Tagging (NBT) Overview
A comprehensive understanding of the NBT system and how it enhances visibility of nutrition funding in government budgets.
4. State-Level Presentations
Real examples of successes, gaps, and innovations from participating states.
5. Nutrition Budget Taxonomy
Deepened knowledge on categorizing and classifying nutrition expenditures.
6. 2025 Budget Cycle Preparations
Updates on priority interventions and best practices for accurate tagging in the upcoming budget cycle.
Why Nutrition Budgeting Matters
Strengthening nutrition budgeting is essential to:
- Improve health and nutrition outcomes among vulnerable populations
- Support efficient and transparent public spending
- Ensure accountability in the use of government and donor resources
- Advance Nigeria’s progress toward achieving national and global nutrition targets
Effective budgeting directly translates into better service delivery, improved program coverage, and stronger health systems.
Acknowledgments
HLADI expresses profound appreciation to:
- The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning
- The World Bank and other development partners
- State government representatives
- Nutrition Expert Working Groups
- All facilitators and participants
A special acknowledgment goes to the HLADI team whose contributions enriched learning and strengthened collaborative efforts.
Conclusion
The Nutrition Budget Tagging Refresher Workshop was a remarkable success, empowering participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to strengthen Nigeria’s nutrition financing landscape.
HLADI remains committed to advancing nutrition governance, supporting state-level financial accountability, and contributing to sustainable improvements in public health across the country.
Together, we can build a healthier and more nutritionally secure Nigeria.