Introduction: “Na food dey give brain power”
One Monday morning in a public primary school in Ibadan, the teacher noticed something. During her English lesson, some pupils were active — raising hands, answering questions, and smiling confidently. But a few others sat with dull faces, yawning, and even resting their heads on their desks.
When she asked one of them, “Kehinde, why are you so tired this morning?” the boy replied softly, “Aunty, I never chop since yesterday evening.”
That simple answer broke her heart. Kehinde had not eaten breakfast, and his family had struggled to provide dinner the night before.
Now think about it: how could a child like Kehinde concentrate on spelling words or solving sums when his stomach was empty? This is not just about hunger — it is about nutrition, and how it directly shapes children’s ability to learn, grow, and succeed in school.
In Nigeria today, millions of primary school pupils face nutritional challenges. From children in rural villages who depend on garri and groundnut as their main meal, to urban children who eat mostly processed fast food, nutrition has become a silent factor affecting classroom performance.
This blog post explores nutrition and its effect on primary school pupils’ academic performance in Nigeria. We will look at real-life experiences, scientific evidence, cultural situations, and practical solutions.
Understanding Nutrition in Simple Terms
Nutrition is not just about “food.” It is about the quality and balance of what we eat and drink. It includes:
- Macronutrients – Carbohydrates (energy), proteins (body building), and fats (energy storage).
- Micronutrients – Vitamins and minerals (like vitamin A, iron, calcium, zinc) that help the body function well.
- Water – Often forgotten, but essential for concentration and brain function.
For children, especially primary school pupils aged 5–12, good nutrition is critical because their bodies and brains are still developing rapidly.
Why Nutrition Matters for Primary School Pupils
Primary school is not just about passing exams; it is where the foundation of lifelong learning is laid. If children are poorly nourished, several things happen:
- Poor Concentration: An empty stomach distracts the mind.
- Low Energy Levels: Pupils may sleep in class or avoid playtime.
- Delayed Cognitive Development: Malnutrition can slow brain growth, affecting memory and problem-solving.
- Frequent Illness: Poor nutrition weakens immunity, leading to absenteeism.
- Poor Academic Performance: Pupils struggle with reading, writing, and numeracy.
As one Nigerian proverb says: “Onje lo n’fun ni agbara lati kẹkọọ” (“Food gives the strength to learn”).
Real-Life Nigerian Experiences
Story 1: The Garri Lunch in Ogun State
In a small Ogun village, many children go to school with only a small tin of garri soaked in water and sometimes groundnut. While this may fill the stomach, it lacks proteins and essential vitamins. Teachers notice that by noon, these children become restless, sleepy, or irritable.
Story 2: The Child with “Plenty Food but No Nutrition” in Lagos
In an urban private school in Lagos, a Primary 4 pupil brings money for snacks daily — meat pies, soft drinks, biscuits. The child eats a lot but is often tired and overweight. His teacher complains that he struggles to focus. This is a case of “hidden hunger” — where a child eats plenty but lacks the right nutrients.
Story 3: The School Feeding Programme in Kano
When the Federal Government introduced the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, a Primary 2 girl in Kano began receiving a boiled egg and beans with rice at school three times a week. Within two terms, her teacher noticed she became more active, her grades improved, and she hardly missed classes. That simple meal made a huge difference.
Scientific Evidence Linking Nutrition and Learning
Several studies, including ones done in Nigeria, show clear links between nutrition and academic performance:
- Iron Deficiency: Children lacking iron often suffer tiredness and poor memory. In Nigeria, iron deficiency is a major cause of anemia in children.
- Vitamin A Deficiency: Leads to poor vision and weak immunity. WHO estimates that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of Vitamin A deficiency in children under 10.
- Protein Deficiency: Children without enough protein (kwashiorkor cases in rural areas) have stunted growth and delayed learning.
- Breakfast and Performance: UNICEF notes that children who eat breakfast perform better in mathematics and reading.
Types of Nutritional Problems Affecting Nigerian Pupils
- Undernutrition (Malnutrition): Common in rural areas — children eat too little or not enough variety.
- Overnutrition (Obesity): Increasing in cities — children eat too much junk food.
- Micronutrient Deficiencies: Lack of vitamins and minerals even when children eat enough calories.
- Hidden Hunger: Children eat plenty (rice, bread, noodles) but little protein or vegetables.
How Nutrition Affects Learning in Nigeria
1. Concentration and Attention Span
A child who eats only pap in the morning may struggle to stay awake by 11 am. Teachers often report such pupils as “lazy,” but the real problem is poor nutrition.
2. Memory and Cognitive Skills
The brain needs glucose and micronutrients to function. Pupils lacking iron or zinc often struggle to remember lessons.
3. Physical Participation
Well-nourished pupils are more active in sports and play, which also supports learning. Malnourished children often withdraw from physical activity.
4. Attendance and Punctuality
Children who fall sick often (because of weak immunity) miss school frequently, affecting their performance.
5. Confidence and Self-Esteem
A child who looks malnourished may be teased by peers, affecting self-confidence and participation in class.
Cultural and Socioeconomic Context in Nigeria
Nigeria’s food habits are diverse. In the North, staples like tuwo, millet, and beans dominate. In the South-West, amala, ewedu, and beans are common. In the South-East, garri, yam, and vegetable soup are popular. Each has nutritional strengths, but the challenge is balance.
- In poor households, meals may be just carbohydrates (garri, yam, rice) with little or no protein.
- In middle-class urban homes, children eat noodles, sugary drinks, and fried snacks, but little fruit or vegetables.
- In wealthy homes, overfeeding and fast foods can lead to childhood obesity.
The problem is not always the absence of food, but the lack of nutritional knowledge and balance.
Role of Parents in Improving Pupils’ Nutrition
Parents play the biggest role in shaping their children’s diets. Practical steps include:
- Balanced Breakfast: Even simple foods like pap + groundnut, or yam + beans, can give energy.
- Healthy Lunch Packs: Instead of biscuits and sugary drinks, pack boiled egg, beans cake (akara), or fruits.
- Limit Junk Foods: Noodles, soft drinks, and sweets should be occasional, not daily.
- Encourage Water: Replace soda with clean water or natural fruit drinks.
- Teach by Example: Children eat what parents eat — if parents skip vegetables, children will too.
Role of Teachers and Schools
Teachers and schools also have roles to play:
- Nutrition Education: Teach children about healthy eating in simple ways.
- School Gardens: Some Nigerian schools have small farms where pupils grow vegetables.
- Observation: Teachers should note pupils who are often tired, sick, or hungry and inform parents.
- School Feeding Programmes: Government and NGOs can provide simple but balanced meals.
Role of Government and Policy
- Expand the School Feeding Programme: Many states started but abandoned it. Consistency is key.
- Nutrition Awareness Campaigns: Radio and community programs teaching parents about balanced diets.
- Support for Farmers: Encourage local production of eggs, beans, fruits, and vegetables.
- Food Fortification: Adding vitamins and minerals to common foods like flour and oil.
Real-Life Solutions That Work in Nigeria
- In Osun State, the school feeding programme once provided beans, eggs, and fruits — teachers reported improved attendance.
- In Kano, UNICEF-supported schools encourage hand-washing and healthy snacks, reducing sickness.
- In rural Cross River, NGOs train mothers to use local vegetables and crayfish to enrich children’s pap.
What Happens When Nutrition is Ignored?
If we ignore nutrition in primary education, Nigeria risks raising a generation of children who:
- Struggle academically
- Drop out early
- Have poor health and low productivity
- Continue the cycle of poverty
Education without nutrition is like trying to build a house on weak sand.
A Vision for Nigerian Primary Schools with Good Nutrition
Imagine a Nigeria where:
- Every child eats a simple but balanced breakfast before school.
- Schools provide at least one nutritious meal daily.
- Parents understand that vegetables, beans, eggs, and fruits are not luxuries, but essentials.
- Teachers work with health officials to monitor children’s growth.
- Communities embrace local foods for better nutrition.
Such a Nigeria will not only produce brighter pupils but also healthier, more productive citizens.
Conclusion: “A well-fed child is a well-taught child”
There’s a Hausa saying: “Abinci shi ne magani na farko” (“Food is the first medicine”).
When children are well-fed with the right nutrients, they learn better, play better, and grow into healthier adults. But when nutrition is ignored, even the best teachers and schools cannot perform miracles.
To every Nigerian parent, teacher, and policymaker reading this on My Academics Blog:
- Remember that good nutrition is as important as school fees, books, or uniforms.
- A simple plate of beans and egg may do more for a child’s future than the most expensive toy.
- Together, let us see food not just as survival, but as an investment in the mind of every Nigerian child.
Because truly, nutrition is education’s hidden power.