Nigeria, June 18 -- The federal government has adopted a domestic financing model for nutrition programmes, signalling a major policy shift as Nigeria seeks to reduce dependence on donor funding amid growing concerns over a global decline in development assistance.

The decision was reached on Wednesday at the second high-level meeting of the Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative Strategic Board, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

As part of the move, the board directed the Federal Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to activate existing financing mechanisms, including the Presidential Nutrition Intervention Fund (PNIF) and revenues from the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) levy, to support nutrit...