FG, First Lady, NGF, Dangote, NNPC, others donate ₦65bn for Food Bank
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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJA
The Federal Government, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, the Dangote Group, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited and the Emeka Foundation on Thursday, announced a donation of ₦65 billion for the Community Food Bank Trust Fund.
The donations were made during the launch of the Community Food Bank Trust Fund, initiated by the First Lady and the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Launching the Trust Fund which targets 500,000 households across the nation in the first year, the First Lady, Senator Tinubu said child malnutrition in Nigeria remains a pressing national priority, with millions of children in need of consistent access to the nourishment required for healthy growth and development.
She said addressing malnutrition is both urgent and essential to securing the nation’s future because each day of inaction affects the health, growth, potential, and future of the children.
In her remarks at the event at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President’s wife explained that the Community Food Bank Programme was conceived as a deliberate and sustainable response to bring healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under six years old, strengthen community-based nutrition systems, and restore hope where it is most needed.
She said the initiative was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to advance food security and safeguard the well-being of every Nigerian child.
“Child malnutrition in Nigeria remains a pressing national priority, with millions of children in need of consistent access to the nourishment required for healthy growth and development.
“Each day of our inaction affects their health, growth, potential, and future. Therefore, addressing this issue is both urgent and essential to securing our nation’s future,” she said.
The Community Food Bank Programme was conceived as a deliberate and sustainable response to bring healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under six years old, strengthen community-based nutrition systems, and restore hope where it is most needed.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said: “This programme is in conjunction with my Office, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture.
“Our goal is to build a strong and effective food bank system in Nigeria that is supported through a well-structured Trust Fund, governed transparently, and capable of reaching communities and households across the country.”
She made a personal donation of ₦500 million
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said malnutrition remains one of the country’s most serious public health challenges.
He said: “Malnutrition remains one of Nigeria’s most serious public health challenges, contributing significantly to under-five mortality and limiting the growth and potential of millions of children. Recent national surveys (NDHS 2023/24) indicate that about four in ten Nigerian children under the age of five are stunted, affecting their physical development, learning potential, and future productivity.
“Behind these statistics are real families and communities whose wellbeing depends on our collective action. The National Community Food Bank Programme therefore represents a practical and compassionate response to this challenge.
“I wish to emphasize that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will support the implementation of this initiative through the National Primary Health Care Development.”
Dangote Group, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Emeka Offor Foundation, among others, pledged over ₦60.5 billion to boost the National Community Food Bank Trust.
Alhaji Dangote, represented by Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director and CEO of the Dangote Foundation, made a donation of N20 billion in-kind commitment over five years.
“It is an honour to stand here today on behalf of the organised private sector. This programme directly addresses food insecurity among vulnerable households, particularly children under six,” Youssoufou said. “Aliko Dangote Foundation will commit N20 billion in-kind support over the next five years on the provision of fortified and nutritious food products.”
She urged others: “I would like to call on the entire organised private sector to actively support this programme,” tying it to “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.” Success means “a Nigeria where no child goes to bed hungry.”
Sofia Mbakwe, who represented Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s Group Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulere, pledged N10 billion over five years. “This ceremony stands as a powerful testament of purposeful leadership by Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” she said.
Praising the Trust Fund’s framework with the Bank of Agriculture, Mbakwe noted: “NNPC Limited is committing a starting sum of N10 billion to be disbursed over the five-year period.” NNPC will “leverage our strategic partners and stands ready to work with you to ensure that this program delivers lasting and measurable impact.”
Chijioke James, representing Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, announced N500 million immediately. “Today is not just about launching a fund. It is about launching hope. No society can truly prosper while hunger persists,” James stated. “We are very proud to stand with the mother of the nation, the First Lady. The founder has asked that I announce the commitment of 500 million.”
A representative of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hamisu Mohammed, offered grassroots endorsement without a financial pledge but with full partnership.
As “custodian of the community and the masses,” he called it “a signature legacy project.” “This initiative comes at a critical time for food insecurity and rising cost of living. Local government fully appreciates grassroots-driven solutions.” ALGON aligns with its “commitment to community development and poverty reduction,” pledging “cooperation and partnership, particularly in rural and underserved communities.”
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq promised major funding. “Across our states, we see the pressure many households face in accessing affordable and nutritious food. More than one third of the children under five are stunted.
“This points to chronic undernutrition with lasting consequences for fiscal growth and development. This is not only a health issue; it’s a national issue.”
He commended the First Lady’s “personal commitment” and aligned it with governors’ nutrition efforts, vowing: “The NGF stands ready to work closely with the federal government… I’ll confer with my colleagues… we’ll present a counterpart fund that will closely align to what the Federal Government is donating,” referencing the Federal Ministry of Health’s N17 billion pledge.
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, said the Community Food Bank Trust Fund will be established in each local government of the federation.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ayodeji Sotinrin, announced that Friends of the First Lady donated five hundred thousand dollars.
He said President Tinubu has approved, through a special intervention, the Federal Government Social Action Fund, ₦17 billion for the Food Bank Trust Fund.
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