The Federal Government has revived its National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme under the Renewed Hope initiative, aimed at improving nutrition among school children and boosting attendance in public primary schools.
During a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, urged the collaboration of partners, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the programme. He emphasized that the initiative plays a vital role in addressing child hunger while supporting education and local agriculture.
The programme will provide daily nutritious meals to pupils in Primary One to Three using ingredients sourced from local farmers. According to the minister, this approach is expected to positively impact children’s health and performance in school, while simultaneously empowering rural farmers and food producers.
Sununu stated that the goal is to reach 10 million pupils nationwide and projected that the initiative could increase school enrolment by 20% and academic outcomes by 15% by 2025. He stressed the need for transparency, strong monitoring, and teamwork at all levels to ensure long-term success.
With concerns rising over the possibility of over 30 million Nigerians facing food insecurity, the relaunch of the school feeding programme is considered both urgent and strategic. The official relaunch is scheduled for May 29, marking President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
Dr. Sununu encouraged local participation, especially from parents, community leaders, and food vendors, noting that the programme also serves as a tool for women’s empowerment and smallholder farmer support. He emphasized that beyond feeding, the scheme promotes economic inclusion and rural development.
Development partners, including the AMA Foundation and corporate organizations like Tetra Pak, have expressed readiness to support the renewed programme. The government has also pledged to introduce new reforms, enhance tracking systems, and improve service delivery.
National Programme Manager Aderemi Adebowale described the initiative as a long-term investment in the country’s future. She revealed that N100 billion has been earmarked in the 2025 national budget to expand the programme’s impact and reach more communities.
Adebowale also announced the introduction of advanced technology, such as QR codes and real-time tracking, to improve transparency and accountability. Nutritionists, health experts, and field supervisors will be involved in monitoring food standards and student wellbeing.
The programme is expected to work closely with the National Identity Management Commission to register and track pupils receiving meals, ensuring accurate data and reducing fraud.
She called on governors, community heads, and political leaders to support the implementation, stressing that success depends on shared ownership and a united effort across sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Binta Musa, who represented CEO Badamasi Lawal, said the renewed school feeding programme marks a significant step forward in the fight against child malnutrition, poverty, and inequality.
The event closed with a joint call for cooperation across government, private sector, and development agencies to align the programme with national and global development goals.
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