𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

3𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, 2026.

Nigeria’s push to tackle hunger and malnutrition received a major boost on Thursday as over ₦66 billion in pledges were secured at the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Abuja.

The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, during the inauguration of the programme’s Board of Trustees at the State House Conference Centre. The event was hosted by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

Leading the private sector contributions, the Aliko Dangote Foundation pledged ₦20 billion in-kind support over five years, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited committed ₦10 billion within the same period. The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation also donated ₦500 million upfront, alongside an additional $500,000 (about ₦750 million) contributed by associates of the First Lady.

Further strengthening the fund, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a ₦17 billion intervention through the Social Action Fund. According to Pate, the funds will be deployed through a community-based procurement system targeting wards across the country to stimulate local economies while addressing food insecurity.

Pate added that if all 36 state governors contribute ₦500 million each, an additional ₦18 billion would be realized, pushing the total funding pool beyond ₦66 billion. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, assured that discussions were ongoing among governors to align with the Federal Government’s initiative.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director of the Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, described the intervention as critical to advancing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the organisation’s contribution would focus on providing fortified and nutritious food products.

Representing NNPC Limited, Sofia Mbakwe reiterated the company’s commitment, describing the initiative as a reflection of purposeful leadership. Similarly, Chidioke James, speaking for the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, said the programme represents a significant step toward addressing hunger and improving societal welfare.

The minister noted that the initiative comes at a crucial time, stressing that malnutrition remains a major public health challenge contributing to child mortality and stunted development across Nigeria.

The National Community Food Bank Programme is designed to establish food banks in every Local Government Area, linked to primary healthcare centres supported by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture. The programme will distribute locally sourced nutritious food through a voucher system targeting vulnerable groups, including children under six, pregnant and nursing mothers, and low-income households.

Implementation will be coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, leveraging existing healthcare infrastructure nationwide.

Also lending support, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, represented by Hamisu Mohammed, described the initiative as timely, citing rising food insecurity and cost-of-living pressures. He affirmed the commitment of local governments to ensuring grassroots execution.

The event drew attendance from members of the National Assembly, ministers, traditional rulers—including representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife—as well as development partners and civil society organisations.

The Community Food Bank Trust Fund is expected to serve as the financial backbone of the programme, driving efforts to combat hunger and improve nutrition outcomes across the country.