The wife of Nigeria’s President, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme, targeting an initial 500,000 households across the nation in the first year.
She said the programme would go a long way in the hunger‑fighting drive by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“The Community Food Bank Program was conceived by us as a sustainable response to bringing healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under six years, strengthening community‑based nutrition systems, and restoring hope where it is most needed.
“This initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu CFR to advance food security and safeguard the well‑being of every Nigerian child,” Mrs Tinubu said.
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She further disclosed that the programme would be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
“This program is in conjunction with my office, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Bank of Industry.
“Globally, food banks are proven to be effective mechanisms for ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most through strategic partnerships with farmers, food producers, corporate organisations, civil society groups, and community institutions. Food banks create a bridge between abundance and need,” she explained.
The First Lady, who donated N500 million to the fund, also commended other donors: Aliko Dangote Foundation, N10 billion from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited over five years, N500 million from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, N17 billion from the Federal Government through a special intervention in the Social Action Fund, a matching N17 billion from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and an initial $500,000 pledged by “friends of Her Excellency” who wish to remain anonymous.
“I am delighted and honoured to be part of the inauguration of the Board of Trustees and Fundraising Ceremony for the Community Food Bank Trust Fund.
“I am inspired by the demonstration of generosity and support shown today towards strengthening food support systems for vulnerable households across our country,” she added.
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, on behalf of other governors, pledged to match the N17 billion Federal commitment with a counterpart fund.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, stated that nutrition is a national and moral imperative.
“Central to this mission is a simple but powerful truth: Health does not begin in hospitals alone. It begins in our homes, in our communities, and it starts with adequate nutrition.
“And it is not only a necessity, politically, but it’s a moral imperative that we ensure that no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry,” the Health Minister stated.
Managing Director/CEO of Bank of Agriculture, Ayodeji Sotinrin, where the fund is domiciled, spelt out the operational safeguards, saying:
“This particular fund is built on longevity and trust and, most importantly, to solve the pressing demand for eradicating hunger in Nigeria.
“It is domiciled in the Bank of Agriculture, which is the Nigerian Apex Agricultural Development Finance Institution, and every contribution flows into a dedicated ring‑fenced account managed under the oversight of the Board of Trustees. No single person can authorise a disbursement.
“A minimum of three to five authorised trustees must co‑sign every approval, and that is the standard we have set for ourselves,” he explained.