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

Lagos Ranks Fourth Most Expensive City for House Rent in Africa — Report

Lagos has been ranked as the fourth most expensive city for house rent in Africa, according to a new report by Fortren & Company, highlighting a growing affordability crisis that is reshaping urban living patterns in Nigeria’s largest city. The report, which examined the average rent for two-bedroom apartments across Africa’s key cities, places Lagos behind Abidjan, Cape Town, and Accra, which occupy the first three positions, while other cities featured include Douala, Nairobi, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Cairo, and Casablanca.

In Lagos’ high-end neighbourhoods such as Ikoyi, Banana Island, and Victoria Island, the average annual rent for a luxury two-bedroom apartment is approximately $19,379 (around ₦26.8 million). While still lower than Abidjan’s $41,671, Cape Town’s $27,813, and Accra’s $26,299, analysts note that Lagos’ rate of rent increase is among the steepest in Africa. Over the past two years, rents have surged by 50% to 200%, driven by rising demand, limited housing supply, and macroeconomic pressures.

Experts warn that the escalating rental costs are putting a significant strain on household incomes, with the income-to-rent ratio in some cases reaching 70%, well above the 30% affordability benchmark recommended by the United Nations. Many residents have been forced to relocate from central districts to suburban areas, yet even these outskirts see rents for standard two-bedroom apartments ranging between ₦1.5 million and ₦2.5 million annually, demonstrating the widespread nature of the housing crunch.

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The surge in rental prices has been attributed to a combination of structural and economic factors, including high inflation, rising construction costs, and elevated borrowing rates. Limited land availability, speculative investments, and currency devaluation have also pushed rents higher, particularly in premium districts. Many luxury apartments in areas like Ikoyi and Victoria Island are priced in U.S. dollars, restricting access to high-income earners and expatriates, with some ultra-luxury properties commanding up to $130,000 per year.

Across Africa, similar trends are observed. In Cape Town, rising demand from both domestic and international residents has led landlords to prioritise short-term rentals, tightening long-term housing supply. In Accra, strong economic growth and the presence of multinational companies and diplomatic missions have created intense competition for high-end apartments, often supported by foreign-currency housing allowances.

Structural inefficiencies in rental systems further exacerbate the problem. Many tenants are required to pay one to two years’ rent upfront, a practice common in Lagos and other African cities, which raises financial barriers and limits access for middle- and low-income residents.

Despite the challenges, analysts see investment opportunities in build-to-let residential units, particularly smaller one- and two-bedroom apartments that cater to growing urban populations. However, without policy interventions to expand housing supply, improve financing options, and regulate rental practices, Lagos’ housing affordability crisis is likely to worsen, with long-term consequences for urban development, economic stability, and social equity.

Lagos Ranks Fourth Most Expensive City for House Rent in Africa — Report

Ogun Partners with NAHCON, Names Key Hajj Leadership Team

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved key leadership appointments to spearhead the state’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, reinforcing efforts to ensure a seamless and well‑coordinated experience for Muslim pilgrims from the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the governor confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelogun — the Asiwaju Adinni of Ogun State and Baba Adinni of Remoland — as the Amirul Hajj for the 2026 pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Apelogun, who also serves as the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders and Owners Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), was entrusted with providing spiritual, administrative, and logistical leadership to Ogun pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.

In addition, Governor Abiodun approved the appointment of Sheikh Zakariyah Ishaq Olorungbebe as Chairman of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the 2026 Hajj operation. As board chair, Sheikh Olorungbebe will coordinate all administrative and operational activities of the welfare board, including pre‑departure orientation, health and safety oversight, and support services for pilgrims before, during, and after the pilgrimage.

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According to the SSG’s release, the appointments are part of a broader, strategic set of preparations by the Ogun State Government to ensure that pilgrims enjoy a hitch‑free and spiritually fulfilling journey. Officials said early leadership designations will help enhance planning, strengthen coordination with federal agencies, and align with nationwide Hajj arrangements coordinated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Governor Abiodun charged both the Amirul Hajj and the board chairman to carry out their responsibilities with “diligence, integrity, and a high level of commitment,” emphasising that effective leadership and teamwork remain essential for the comfort, safety and spiritual wellbeing of all pilgrims. “The state government reaffirms its commitment to providing necessary support and institutional structures to guarantee a hitch‑free pilgrimage for all intending pilgrims from Ogun State,” the statement said.

The governor also urged the newly appointed leaders to engage closely with health authorities, travel agents, welfare officers, and community stakeholders to ensure that Ogun pilgrims adhere to all religious rites and regulatory requirements set by Saudi Arabian authorities for the 2026 Hajj season.

The early appointment of the Amirul Hajj and welfare board leadership aligns with a trend among several states across Nigeria, which in recent weeks have begun preparations and sensitisation programs for intending pilgrims. State governments typically conduct pre‑Hajj seminars, health briefings, and orientation sessions in collaboration with NAHCON to prepare pilgrims spiritually, mentally, and physically for the rigours of the Hajj journey.

Religious leaders and community groups have welcomed the appointments, describing them as timely and encouraging, given the increasing number of pilgrims registering for the 2026 pilgrimage. They also affirmed that proactive leadership is critical to ensuring that logistical challenges, health concerns, and accommodation arrangements are addressed efficiently.

This development comes as part of broader efforts by the Ogun State Government to strengthen institutional support systems for the Hajj exercise, increase coordination with relevant agencies, and improve welfare services for Muslim pilgrims ahead of the 2026 spiritual journey.

Ogun Partners with NAHCON, Names Key Hajj Leadership Team