An Egg A Day Can Save A Child: Experts Advise Nigerians

Nutrition and animal science experts have called on Nigerian households to make eggs a regular part of their diets, saying their rich nutritional content can support children’s growth, brain development and help tackle malnutrition and stunted growth.

Experts have urged Nigerians to increase egg consumption, describing eggs as an important source of essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development, particularly among children.

They also called on the Federal Government to subsidise poultry production inputs, including animal feed and day-old chicks, to reduce production costs and make eggs more affordable for households struggling with rising food prices.

The experts made the recommendations on Saturday during a public enlightenment programme in Ilorin, Kwara State, organised by the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN), Kwara State Branch, in collaboration with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kwara State Branch, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of World Egg Day.

Speaking at the event, Victoria Chimezie of the Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, said eggs contain essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals that contribute to children’s physical development and overall well-being.

Chimezie, an animal geneticist, expressed concern over the prevalence of malnutrition and stunted growth among children, stressing that improved access to nutritious foods could help address some of the underlying dietary deficiencies.

“We see the problem of stunting growth among children. You see the hospital filled with children that are malnourished,” she said, highlighting the nutritional composition of eggs.

She also challenged the widespread perception that eating eggs necessarily increases blood cholesterol, explaining that the presence of cholesterol in eggs does not automatically translate into elevated cholesterol levels in the body.

“The fact that cholesterol is present in eggs doesn’t translate to the fact that the cholesterol in your blood will increase by taking an egg,” she added.

The Chairman of ASAN, Kwara State Branch, Samuel Akanbi, also encouraged Nigerians to incorporate eggs into their daily meals, citing their contribution to brain development, energy supply and general health.

Akanbi recommended that students consume two eggs daily, while adults could follow a different dietary recommendation depending on their nutritional needs.

“We are encouraging the students to eat two eggs per day; adults can also eat up to that, but the recommendation is one egg per day for adults,” he said.

He, however, cautioned consumers against eating spoiled eggs and urged poultry farmers to maintain appropriate biosecurity measures and use antibiotics responsibly to minimise disease risks.

Despite their nutritional benefits, the rising cost of eggs remains a challenge for many Nigerian households, particularly those already struggling to afford balanced meals.

The Vice-Chairman of PAN, Kwara State Branch, Adedayo Gawati, acknowledged that egg prices had increased but maintained that eggs remained a relatively accessible source of animal protein compared with other options.

“We are not saying eggs are affordable because the price has increased too, but what we are saying is that it is still the cheapest. Everything has gone up. We need to preach the value of eggs,” Gawati said.

He argued that public enlightenment was necessary to encourage Nigerians to appreciate the nutritional benefits of eggs and make informed dietary choices.

Gawati also called for greater government support for poultry farmers, identifying the rising costs of day-old chicks, animal feed and other production inputs as major constraints affecting the industry.

According to him, reducing production expenses could help farmers increase output and improve the availability of eggs in the market.

Similarly, the representative of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Olufunke Bolaji, urged the government and private sector to provide more support to poultry farmers.

Bolaji advocated subsidies on animal feed and other essential production inputs, noting that lower operating costs could help reduce the financial burden on farmers and potentially improve affordability for consumers.

The programme, themed “The Mighty Egg: Protein that Powers and Protects,” brought together animal scientists, poultry farmers, students and other stakeholders to discuss the nutritional importance of eggs, healthy eating habits and challenges confronting poultry production.

Some students who participated in the programme said the discussions had improved their understanding of the role eggs could play in their diets.

Blessing Adeogun of Glory Seed High School, Ilorin, said she learnt that eggs could provide energy and help students maintain concentration.

Maryam Abdulakeem of Ansar-Ud-Deen Islamic Senior Secondary School, Ogbondoroko, also said the programme had broadened her knowledge of eggs as an important source of protein.

The event featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Kwara State Ministries of Livestock Development and Youth Development, as well as the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute.

The stakeholders called for sustained nutrition education, improved poultry farming practices and stronger government intervention to address production challenges.

They maintained that making nutritious foods more accessible and affordable would be important in efforts to tackle child malnutrition and promote healthier diets among Nigerian families.

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