Maiduguri, Borno State, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially unveiled the National Community Food Bank Programme for the North-East region.
During a visit to Maiduguri on Monday, the First Lady described the initiative as a critical intervention designed to tackle hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity among the most vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
The programme specifically targets malnourished children under the age of six, pregnant and nursing mothers, and economically disadvantaged households.
Okay News gathered that the initiative is built on a grassroots model with plans to establish community-based food banks across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria. These banks will be linked to primary healthcare facilities to ensure nutritional support is integrated with medical care.
The initiative has garnered significant financial backing with over ₦66 billion in pledges recorded during its initial launch. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, detailed several key contributions such as the ₦20 billion in-kind support over five years from the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the ₦17 billion special intervention fund approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Furthermore, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited committed ₦10 billion over the same period, while the Emeka Offor Foundation contributed ₦500 million to the cause.
Beyond immediate relief, the programme aims to strengthen local food systems by distributing locally sourced, nutritious food through a transparent voucher system. In partnership with the Bank of Agriculture, the initiative is expected to improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria where food supply chains have been disrupted.
The First Lady emphasized that the programme is a major step toward ensuring food security for all.
