In a compelling keynote address, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, Chairman of the WASPEN 2025 Conference, highlighted malnutrition and food insecurity as the two most significant threats to human development in Nigeria. Speaking on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the conference themed “Bridging the Gap: Integrating Hospital and Community Malnutrition Care in Developing Countries,” Prof. Usifoh emphasized the urgent need to address these pressing issues.

He stated, "One of the reasons malnutrition is rampant is poverty and inadequate food intake; our government needs to focus on alleviating poverty in the country." He underscored the seriousness of the malnutrition problem, noting that it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to significant impacts on patient health. Prof. Usifoh also cited alarming figures, revealing that over 37% of Nigerian children are stunted and approximately 2 million suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

The chairman urged stakeholders to confront not only the symptoms of malnutrition but also the underlying issues, such as poverty, food taboos, and inadequate food preservation practices that contribute to food insecurity.

The conference brought together regional experts, clinicians, and policymakers to collaborate on identifying practical strategies for effectively ending malnutrition in all its forms, aiming to foster a coordinated approach to improve nutritional outcomes across Nigeria. Prof. Usifoh concluded by expressing strong support for WASPEN's initiatives, emphasizing the critical role of collaborative efforts in tackling these public health challenges.