The Federal Government is set to relaunch the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme to combat child hunger and improve education across the country.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, announced the initiative on Wednesday during a high-level meeting with development partners, NGOs, and government officials in Abuja. He said the relaunch will coincide with President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
Dr. Sununu explained that the revamped programme will provide daily nutritious meals to public primary school pupils in Primary One to Three using locally sourced ingredients, aiming to support children’s health and stimulate local agricultural production.
“The goal is to feed 10 million children, increase school enrolment by 20%, and improve academic performance by 15% by 2025,” he stated, stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure sustainability.
The relaunch comes amid warnings that over 30 million Nigerians may face hunger, making the programme’s swift implementation crucial.
Dr. Sununu also emphasized the programme’s potential to reduce malnutrition, enhance school retention, empower women, and uplift smallholder farmers. He urged community ownership, parental involvement, and training for cooks to boost impact.
Development partners, including the AMA Foundation and Tetra Pak, have pledged support, while the Federal Government has committed to reforms, tighter monitoring, and measurable outcomes.
Dr. Aderemi Adebowale, National Programme Manager of the RH-NHGSFP, described the initiative as a key investment in the country’s future. She noted that N100 billion has been earmarked in the 2025 budget to scale up operations and deepen community reach.
“The updated programme will use QR-coded supply chains and real-time tracking to enhance transparency, ensure food quality, and measure health outcomes,” Adebowale added. She highlighted the full integration of women, youth, cooks, and farmers through training and income-generating opportunities.
She also revealed collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission to register and track all beneficiaries, alongside plans to engage local cooperatives—especially women-led groups—to help cut rural poverty by 40%.
Dr. Badamasi Lawal, CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), described the relaunch as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against child hunger and inequality. Represented by Dr. Binta Musa, he urged stakeholders to join hands in securing a healthier, more inclusive future for Nigerian children.
The meeting concluded with a unified call for strategic partnerships to align the initiative with the Sustainable Development Goals.
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