Juliet Ezeh
Nigeria’s fight against hunger received a major boost on Thursday as over N66 billion in pledges was secured at the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Abuja, signalling a rare alignment between government, private sector, and development partners to tackle rising food insecurity.
The initiative, unveiled at the State House Conference Centre and championed by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, is designed to address malnutrition at the grassroots through a nationwide network of community-based food banks.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has already approved a N17 billion intervention fund to kick-start the programme, with a focus on local procurement to stimulate rural economies while addressing hunger.
Private sector players emerged as major drivers of the initiative, with the Aliko Dangote Foundation committing N20 billion in food support over five years and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited pledging N10 billion within the same period. Additional contributions came from the Emeka Offor Foundation and other donors, further strengthening the financial base of the programme.
The total funding could rise significantly if state governments join in, as governors have been urged to contribute N500 million each, a move that would inject an additional N18 billion into the scheme.
Experts say the scale of funding reflects growing concern over Nigeria’s deepening food crisis, with malnutrition continuing to impact millions of children and vulnerable households. The programme directly targets pregnant women, nursing mothers, young children, and low-income families, using a structured voucher system to ensure access to nutritious food.
Unlike previous interventions, the food bank model integrates health and agriculture by linking distribution to primary healthcare centres while sourcing food locally through community-based systems. This approach is expected to not only improve nutrition outcomes but also support local farmers and reduce dependency on imports.
The programme will be financed through a dedicated Community Food Bank Trust Fund, managed by the Bank of Agriculture, ensuring sustainability and accountability in fund utilisation.
Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a turning point in Nigeria’s social protection strategy, particularly at a time of rising food prices and economic pressure on households.
With strong backing from both public and private sectors, the success of the programme will largely depend on implementation at the grassroots level, where the real battle against hunger is being fought.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.