By Ejire Folakunmi
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme, targeting an initial 500,000 households across the country in its first year, as donors, including the Federal Government, state governments, and major corporate bodies, pledged a combined N65bn in support of the initiative.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Board of Trustees and Fundraising Ceremony for the Community Food Bank Trust Fund on Thursday, Apr. 2, 2026, the First Lady described the programme as a sustainable response to hunger, designed to bring healthy and nutritious food within reach of vulnerable children under 6 years of age.
“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 6 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 Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu to advance food security and safeguard the well-being of every Nigerian child,” she said.
The First Lady, who personally donated N500M to the fund, said the programme is being implemented in partnership with her office, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Bank of Industry.
Among the major donors announced at the event were the Aliko Dangote Foundation; the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which pledged N10bn over 5 years; the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, which contributed N500M; the Federal Government, through a N17bn special intervention via the Social Action Fund; the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), which matched the Federal Government’s N17bn pledge; and anonymous “friends of Her Excellency,” who pledged an initial $500,000, approximately N692.5M at current exchange rates.
“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,” the First Lady said, adding that every naira donated would be used judiciously under the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara Gov. Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, speaking on behalf of other governors, reaffirmed the NGF’s N17bn counterpart commitment, warning that more than 1/3 of children under 5 in Nigeria are stunted.
“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 said.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate described nutrition as both a national priority and a moral imperative, stressing that health begins not in hospitals but in homes and communities.
“It is not only a necessity, politically, but it’s a moral imperative that we ensure that no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry,” he said, confirming the Federal Government’s N17bn approval through the Social Action Fund to support community-based nutrition efforts.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Sen. Abubakar Kyari described the initiative as a shift from “sympathy to structure and from concern to coordinated response,” citing data showing that about 12M Nigerian children under 5 are stunted and nearly half face chronic undernourishment. He noted that malnutrition contributes to nearly half of under-5 deaths, while post-harvest losses on some perishable crops range between 20% and 60%.
“The Trust Fund provides a disciplined mechanism to aggregate resources, ensure sustainability, and move locally produced food through structured supply systems to households,” Kyari said.
Representing the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hamisu Mohammed underscored the role of local governments in the initiative, describing it as a signature legacy project arriving at a critical time.
“Local government is the custodian of the community and the masses. This initiative is a signature legacy project. Local government fully appreciates grassroots-driven solutions,” he said.
Ayodeji Sotinrin, Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Agriculture, where the fund is domiciled, outlined the operational and governance safeguards put in place to ensure transparency and accountability.
“This particular fund is built on longevity and trust and most importantly to solve the pressing demand for eradicating hunger in Nigeria,” he said, adding that every contribution flows into a dedicated ring-fenced account managed under trustee oversight, with a minimum of 3 to 5 authorised trustees required to co-sign every disbursement approval.
Sotinrin noted that the Bank of Agriculture’s 110 branches nationwide ensure close proximity to communities, while distribution will be carried out through the NPHCDA’s primary healthcare network, reaching beneficiaries at ward level across all 36 states. He confirmed that independent verification and quarterly published reports will be in place at every stage of procurement, distribution, and reporting.
The Board of Trustees was inaugurated with the First Lady as Chairman and Sotinrin as Secretary, alongside Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Dr. Mansur Mokhtar, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, and Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King as trustees.
The National Community Food Bank Programme will be rolled out across all 6 geopolitical zones of the country.