Nigeria took a major step toward tackling hunger and malnutrition on Thursday as the National Community Food Bank Programme secured pledges exceeding N66bn during its official launch and Board of Trustees inauguration in Abuja.
The high-profile event, held at the State House Conference Centre and hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, drew key players from government, the private sector, and development partners, all committing resources to support the initiative.
Delivering the keynote address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved a N17bn intervention fund through the Social Action Fund to kick-start the programme. He explained that the funds would be deployed using a community-based procurement model to ensure that food is sourced locally across wards and communities nationwide.
Private sector contributions formed a significant part of the funding pool. The Aliko Dangote Foundation led the pack with a N20bn in-kind commitment spread over five years. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited followed with a pledge of N10bn within the same timeframe.
Other contributions included N500m from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and a $500,000 donation from supporters of the First Lady.
According to Pate, the total funding could rise even higher if state governments align with the initiative. He noted that if all 36 governors contribute N500m each, the programme would attract an additional N18bn, significantly boosting its impact.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, signalled support for the plan, stating that he would engage fellow governors to secure counterpart funding that complements the Federal Government’s contribution.
Speaking on behalf of the Dangote Foundation, Managing Director Zouera Youssoufou said the organisation’s N20bn commitment would focus on providing fortified and nutritious food products. She also called on other private sector players to step forward and support the initiative.
Similarly, representatives of NNPC Limited described their N10bn pledge as a demonstration of commitment to national development and social welfare, while the Emeka Offor Foundation emphasised that the programme represents a bold step toward addressing hunger and improving lives.
The initiative arrives at a critical time, as Nigeria continues to grapple with rising food insecurity and economic pressures. Pate stressed that the programme aligns with the administration’s broader development agenda, highlighting nutrition as a foundational element of national health and productivity.
He pointed out that malnutrition remains a major contributor to child mortality and poor development outcomes, especially among vulnerable populations. The programme, he said, aims to ensure that no Nigerian, particularly children, goes to bed hungry.
The National Community Food Bank Programme will establish food banks across all Local Government Areas, working closely with primary healthcare centres and supported by the Bank of Agriculture. Beneficiaries will include children under six, pregnant and nursing mothers, orphans, and low-income households.
Food distribution will operate through a structured voucher system, allowing beneficiaries to access nutritious, locally sourced meals while supporting local farmers and markets.
At the grassroots level, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria pledged full support for the programme, describing it as a timely and impactful intervention. Representatives noted that local governments would play a key role in ensuring effective implementation and community engagement.
The event also attracted lawmakers, ministers, traditional leaders, and development partners, reflecting broad national support for the initiative. Representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife attended, alongside civil society groups and other stakeholders.
With strong backing from both public and private sectors, the Community Food Bank Trust Fund will serve as the financial backbone of the programme, ensuring sustained funding and transparent management.
As Nigeria battles rising living costs and food shortages, stakeholders see the programme as a bold and necessary step toward building a more food-secure future.
