The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, aimed at tackling malnutrition among infants across the country.
She launched the programme during the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit in Abuja.
The initiative, funded by well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations, will focus on providing nutritious food to children aged six years and below.
The First Lady said, “This year, the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria will be working with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the nation.
“We are collaborating with the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, and other partners to launch the National Community Food Bank Programme in April 2026. This programme is designed to strengthen community nutrition support, improve access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable children, and contribute meaningfully to the national response to ending child malnutrition.”
Mrs Tinubu stressed that the support and cooperation of traditional and religious leaders are crucial for the programme’s success, ultimately ensuring a healthier future generation of Nigerians.
“The programme will operate through the nationwide network of primary health centers to identify and register eligible families with children under six years old. Caregivers will receive counselling and food vouchers redeemable for nutritious locally grown foods at food banks established near health centres.
“This initiative will be funded through a trust fund by willing private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians. To ensure accountability, the Trust Fund will be overseen by credible Nigerians. We will need a lot of support from you, our revered traditional and religious leaders, to raise awareness and sensitise households to ensure no eligible family is left behind as we roll out the programme nationwide,” she added.
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The First Lady also congratulated the health volunteers, the National Health Fellows.
Earlier, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, emphasised the importance of human resources to national development, noting that this inspired the First Lady’s partnership with the Ministry to support the health and well-being of infants and children.
“Without the people of Nigeria, no infrastructure, no oil, no gold, and no diamond will actually matter,” he said.
Prof. Pate thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the convening of the first-ever Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit, describing it as a clear indication of the President’s belief in the pivotal role of these leaders in safeguarding Nigerians’ health.
“Before the Nigerian State, there is a Nigerian Nation; before a Nigerian Nation, there are the Nigerian people. And that is why the President prioritises the health sector in all ramifications,” he added.
The minister also commended the First Lady for her continuous contributions to the health sector, particularly in child and women’s health.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, noted that the gathering of traditional and religious leaders demonstrates Nigeria’s growing practical approach to addressing health issues.
“Sequel to the flag-off and outcomes of the summit, there will be a greater need for follow-up and peer reviews,” he said.
Development partners, including the WHO and World Bank, also praised the traditional and Religious Leaders, describing them as central to achieving universal health coverage.
The engagement with the leaders during the flag-off of the Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme aims to raise awareness, build trust, and provide oversight in communities across Nigeria.
The First Lady will soon take the campaign to each geopolitical zone, beginning with the North-East Zone in Borno State.