A Comprehensive Analysis of the Economic Cost of Malnutrition and the Return on Investment of Nutrition Interventions in Nigeria

The economic burden of malnutrition in Nigeria, encompassing productivity losses, healthcare expenditures, and intergenerational human capital effects, has not been comprehensively quantified at national scale using contemporary data and analytical methods. This study conducted a comprehensive economic analysis of the cost of malnutrition and the return on investment of priority nutrition interventions in Nigeria, drawing on data from the 2021 Demographic and Health Survey, national health expenditure accounts, and agricultural productivity datasets. The analytical framework integrated the Cost of Hunger in Africa methodology with benefit-cost analysis and dynamic microsimulation modelling. Economic outcomes assessed included lost GDP due to reduced cognitive capacity from childhood stunting, productivity losses from iron deficiency anaemia, healthcare costs attributable to overweight and obesity-related chronic diseases, and mortality costs attributable to wasting and micronutrient deficiencies. Benefit-cost ratios were calculated for ten priority nutrition interventions using intervention effectiveness parameters drawn from systematic reviews. Results estimated the total annual economic cost of malnutrition in Nigeria at 1.4 to 1.8 percent of GDP, with child stunting accounting for the largest share of productivity loss. Iron supplementation, exclusive breastfeeding promotion, and community-based management of acute malnutrition yielded the highest benefit-cost ratios. The study provides policymakers with an original and rigorous economic evidence base for nutrition investment prioritisation in Nigeria. Keywords: economic cost of malnutrition, return on investment, nutrition interventions, Nigeria, benefit-cost analysis