The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to relaunch the national school feeding programme, aiming to significantly reduce child hunger and improve educational outcomes. This initiative was revealed by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, during a stakeholder meeting in Abuja that included representatives from NGOs, development partners, and government agencies. The relaunch is scheduled to coincide with President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary in office and is intended to address growing concerns about food insecurity, especially with projections indicating that over 30 million Nigerians may face hunger.
Dr. Sununu emphasized that the updated school feeding scheme has been designed holistically, with a focus on providing daily nutritious meals sourced from local produce. This not only targets child nutrition and school attendance but also aims to stimulate local agricultural economies. The programme, which aims to benefit 10 million children across Nigeria, is expected to boost school enrolment by 20% and improve academic performance by 15% by 2025. A key goal is to reach pupils in Primary One through Three in public schools, nurturing their potential while supporting national development.
The programme’s relaunch also promises enhanced transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. Dr. Aderemi Adebowale, National Programme Manager of RH-NHGSFP, outlined key innovations including QR-coded supply chains and real-time tracking to ensure quality control and operational efficiency. She noted that N100 billion has been allocated in the 2025 budget to expand the programme’s reach and impact. There is a strong emphasis on empowering women, youth, and smallholder farmers through training and inclusive practices, particularly by promoting women-led cooperatives.
The government is also partnering with the National Identity Management Commission to register and monitor beneficiaries, ensuring no child is left out. Development partners like Tetra Pak and the AMA Foundation have pledged their support. The initiative is positioned as a cornerstone in Nigeria’s broader efforts to combat malnutrition, rural poverty, and educational inequality, with officials urging all stakeholders to collaborate toward achieving these ambitious goals.