Nigeria’s National Community Food Bank Programme was formally launched on Thursday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, with pledges exceeding N66 billion to tackle hunger and malnutrition. The event, hosted by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also marked the inauguration of the programme’s Board of Trustees.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, announced the pledges during his keynote address. The Aliko Dangote Foundation led private sector support with a commitment of N20 billion in-kind contributions over five years. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) pledged N10 billion over the same period.
Other notable contributions included N500 million from the Emeka Offor Foundation and $500,000 (about N750 million) from anonymous supporters of the First Lady. President Bola Tinubu also approved a special intervention of N17 billion through the Social Action Fund to strengthen the programme.
Pate explained that if all 36 state governors contribute N500 million each, an additional N18 billion would be raised, bringing total potential funding to over N66 billion. He urged governors to match the federal government’s commitment, stressing that spending would be local and community-driven.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, pledged to consult with fellow governors on counterpart funding. He assured that the forum is ready to work closely with the federal government to align contributions with national priorities.
Managing Director of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, confirmed the N20 billion pledge, emphasizing the importance of fortified and nutritious food products. She called on other private sector players to support the initiative, linking it to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
NNPC’s representative, Sofia Mbakwe, described the programme as a testament to purposeful leadership, announcing the company’s N10 billion commitment over five years. Chidioke James, representing the Emeka Offor Foundation, highlighted the urgency of addressing hunger, stating that no society can prosper while food insecurity persists.
Professor Pate stressed that the initiative comes at a critical time, noting that malnutrition remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges. He explained that the programme will establish food banks in every Local Government Area, linked to Primary Health Care centres supported by the
The food banks will provide locally sourced, nutritious foods through a voucher system. Beneficiaries will include malnourished children under six, pregnant and lactating women, orphans, vulnerable children, and households at high nutritional and economic risk.
Pate underscored that health begins in homes and communities, not hospitals alone. He described the programme as both a political necessity and a moral imperative to ensure no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, alongside the Primary Health Care Development Agency, will oversee implementation, leveraging Nigeria’s extensive primary health care network. The Bank of Agriculture will partner in managing community-based procurement platforms.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, represented by Hamisu Mohammed, endorsed the initiative as a grassroots-driven solution. He described it as a “signature legacy project” that comes at a critical time of rising food insecurity and cost of living.
The launch drew wide participation, including members of the National Assembly, ministers, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and development partners. Representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife were present, underscoring broad national support.
The National Health Fellows presented a memento to President Tinubu through the First Lady, symbolising collective commitment to the programme’s success.
The National Community Food Bank Programme represents a coordinated effort to combat hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria. With pledges from government, private sector, and civil society already surpassing N66 billion, the initiative is positioned to deliver immediate relief and long-term impact.
By establishing food banks across all local government areas, the programme aims to strengthen nutrition, reduce child mortality, and support vulnerable households. Stakeholders view it as a transformative step toward achieving food security and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda.
