First Lady’s National Community Food Bank Programme Attracts Over ₦66bn

First Lady’s National Community Food Bank Programme Attracts Over ₦66bn

Nigeria’s National Community Food Bank Programme, led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, received overwhelming support at its official launch on Thursday, attracting pledges exceeding ₦66 billion from the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. The launch, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, marked a significant step in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition across the country.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation emerged as the largest private donor, committing ₦20 billion in‑kind support over five years to supply fortified and nutritious food to vulnerable groups, including children under six, pregnant and lactating women, and low-income households. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) also pledged ₦10 billion over the same period. Other contributions included ₦500 million from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and an additional $500,000 (around ₦750 million) from unnamed supporters.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved a ₦17 billion intervention fund through the Social Action Fund to support programme rollout. He added that if all 36 state governments contribute ₦500 million each, an extra ₦18 billion could be mobilised to expand the initiative’s reach.

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The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, assured that governors would consider matching the federal government’s contribution, while local authorities and traditional institutions pledged support for community-level implementation.

The National Community Food Bank Programme will establish community-based food banks in every Local Government Area (LGA) to deliver locally sourced, nutritious food. Beneficiaries will access food via a voucher system, supporting domestic agriculture and ensuring efficient distribution to those most in need.

The programme aims to reduce malnutrition, strengthen local food systems, and enhance community resilience. It will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state health ministries, and local healthcare networks.

At the launch, stakeholders emphasised the initiative’s strategic importance, noting that adequate nutrition is critical to national development and the health of vulnerable populations. Private sector partners were encouraged to increase engagement through innovations in food processing, storage, logistics, and community outreach to sustain the programme over time.

First Lady’s National Community Food Bank Programme Attracts Over ₦66bn