The Kano State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and supported by the UK-FCDO Lafiya Programme, has held a two-day Validation Workshop for the Tom Brown Business Case, a homegrown nutrition and economic empowerment initiative.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from government, development partners, and the private sector to review, refine, and validate the Tom Brown Business Case, a strategy designed to promote the production and commercialisation of Tom Brown.
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This nutritious, locally produced complementary food combats child malnutrition and supports household nutrition security.
In his opening remarks, Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, reiterated the state government’s commitment to sustainable nutrition solutions.
“The Tom Brown initiative aligns with our mission to reduce malnutrition and strengthen food security while empowering local producers, especially women and youth,”
He also commended PVAC and the UK-FCDO Lafiya Programme for their technical and financial support in advancing nutrition and healthcare value chains in the state.
Speaking at the event, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, highlighted the initiative’s importance in driving local manufacturing and economic empowerment.
“Through the Tom Brown Business Case, we are not only addressing child malnutrition but also unlocking economic opportunities for small and medium enterprises in the nutrition sector,”
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Similarly, the Director General of the Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), Pharm Ghali Sule explained that the validation workshop builds on earlier engagements in Abuja between PVAC and Lafiya Programme.
“The Tom Brown initiative aims to strengthen Kano’s capacity to locally produce enriched nutritional supplements and improve our healthcare delivery systems,”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of UK-FCDO Lafiya Abdulkadir Salisu Kabara, the State Team Lead, reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to supporting innovative nutrition interventions.
“Our support for the Tom Brown Business Case underscores our vision to enhance access to quality healthcare and nutrition through public-private partnerships,”
The workshop also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the draft Tom Brown Business Case, refine its technical, operational, and policy frameworks, and agree on implementation steps, including potential public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements, co-financing models, and facility site selection.
The Tom Brown Business Case represents a strategic component of efforts to reduce malnutrition, empower local farmers, and stimulate Nigeria’s nutrition economy through the local production of fortified complementary foods made from grains and legumes.