The last National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS) was undertaken about 20 years ago in 2001 (Maziya-Dixon, et al., 2004; Nigeria Food Consumption and Nutrition Survey 2001-2003, IITA, https://hdl.handle.net/10568/100010). The findings of that study likely no longer represent the current micronutrient status or dietary consumption patterns of the Nigerian population. This lack of recent and reliable information presents several challenges, both in terms of reviewing ongoing programmes and in informing the development of new guidance and policies. Updated information on the population’s micronutrient status and dietary intakes is required for informed, evidenced-based decisions about current and future food, nutrition, and agriculture programming and policy making in Nigeria.
During a high-level national nutrition data stakeholder workshop in Abuja in July 2017, stakeholders agreed that a national survey to collect information on dietary intake and micronutrient status was needed. Subsequently, in January 2018, a NFCMS methodology workshop was held in Abuja, during which agreements were reached on the scope and level of representativeness for the survey, and key decisions pertaining to the survey governance structure. In this light, UNICEF was nominated as the fund management agency for the survey, and lITA as the lead implementing agency
