A Critical Examination of National Nutrition Policy Implementation in Nigeria: Governance Gaps, Stakeholder Dynamics, and Pathways to Impact

Nigeria has developed successive national nutrition policies and plans of action, yet implementation outcomes remain far below stated targets, and the governance mechanisms underpinning delivery are poorly understood. This study conducted a critical examination of national nutrition policy implementation in Nigeria, focusing on governance gaps, stakeholder power dynamics, and pathways to impact across the 2012 to 2023 policy period. A policy implementation science framework incorporating principal-agent theory, street-level bureaucracy perspectives, and adaptive governance concepts was applied. The study combined systematic document analysis of policy texts and programme reports, a national key informant survey of 95 nutrition actors across federal and state levels, and six in-depth state-level case studies spanning all geopolitical zones. Data were analysed through framework analysis, stakeholder influence mapping, and implementation fidelity scoring. Results identified recurrent governance failures including inadequate budgetary allocation to nutrition, weak accountability structures, poor vertical integration between federal and state nutrition coordination mechanisms, and insufficient community-level feedback loops. Civil society nutrition advocacy was found to be a significant driver of implementation where it was present and organised. Community health workers were the most critical yet most resource-constrained link in implementation. The study presents an original governance failure typology for Nigerian nutrition policy and proposes an adaptive implementation model specifically designed for the Nigerian federal system. Keywords: nutrition policy, implementation, governance gaps, Nigeria, stakeholder dynamics