Nigeria has taken a major step in the fight against hunger and child malnutrition with the launch of a nationwide Community Food Bank Scheme, spearheaded by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the inauguration of the programme’s Board of Trustees and fundraising event, the First Lady described child malnutrition as a critical national emergency, warning that millions of Nigerian children lack access to adequate nutrition needed for healthy growth.
“Each day of inaction affects their health, growth, and future. Addressing this crisis is urgent and essential to securing our nation’s future,” she said.
The initiative, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, drew overwhelming support from both public and private sectors, with over ₦65 billion pledged.
Leading the donations, the Aliko Dangote Foundation committed ₦20 billion over five years, while the Federal Government and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum pledged ₦17 billion each. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited contributed ₦10 billion, alongside ₦500 million from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and additional support from anonymous donors. The First Lady personally donated ₦500 million.
The Community Food Bank Programme aims to provide nutritious food to vulnerable children under six years old across all 774 local government areas. It will be implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture.
Describing the initiative as a sustainable intervention, Senator Tinubu said it would strengthen community-based nutrition systems and ensure food reaches those who need it most.
“Our goal is to build a transparent and effective food bank system capable of reaching households across the country,” she added, urging Nigerians to contribute regardless of the size of their donations.
Coordinating Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, described nutrition as both a moral and public health issue, revealing that the Federal Government had approved a ₦17 billion intervention fund to support the programme.
He explained that the scheme would leverage Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and adopt community-based procurement strategies to distribute locally sourced food efficiently.
Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the urgency of the initiative, noting that an estimated 12 million Nigerian children under five are stunted.
Also speaking, Chairman of the NGF and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, acknowledged the growing pressure on households to access affordable and nutritious food, pledging governors’ support for the initiative.
The programme will target 500,000 households in its first year, focusing on children under six, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Beneficiaries will access food through primary healthcare centres using a voucher system, ensuring equitable and community-driven distribution.
With Nigeria ranking among countries with the highest rates of child stunting globally, the initiative is seen as a crucial step toward reducing malnutrition and ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry.
