…says programme Requires N900bn to N1trn Annually
In a renewed push to combat child hunger, improve education, and stimulate local economies, the Federal Government has initiated fresh consultations with stakeholders on the relaunch and expansion of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH-NHGSFP).
The high-level meeting, held at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, was spearheaded by the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu. The event marks a significant step towards revitalizing the programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Sununu disclosed that an estimated N900 billion to N1 trillion would be needed annually to provide nutritious meals to primary school pupils in grades 1 to 3. The programme aims to deliver at least three meals per week to each pupil.
While noting that appropriations from the federal budget would support the initiative, the Minister stressed the need for additional sources of funding to ensure sustainability. “This programme cannot thrive on government funding alone. Strategic partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms are key to achieving our goals,” he said.
Providing further insight, the National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme, Associate Professor Badamasi Lawal, PhD, identified a range of potential funding channels. These include presidential support, international donor contributions, stakeholder grants, and 5% of recovered repatriated funds.
“As stakeholders, your technical expertise, strategic insights, and financial backing are invaluable,” Dr. Badamasi stated. “This engagement is not only about collaboration but also about co-creating a system that directly aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals—especially the eradication of hunger, the promotion of quality education, and poverty reduction.”
He added that the RH-NHGSFP is more than a social programme—it is a key component of the Tinubu administration’s strategy to deliver inclusive and people-centered development. “We are tackling multiple challenges through this initiative: reducing malnutrition, increasing school enrollment, supporting smallholder farmers, and invigorating local economies—one nutritious meal at a time,” he emphasized.
Dr. Badamasi also outlined enhancements in the programme’s model, which focus on transparency, efficiency, inclusiveness, and measurable outcomes, with the ultimate goal of making RH-NHGSFP a model for other nations seeking sustainable school feeding systems.
The meeting concluded with a presentation by Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, the National Programme Manager, who unveiled the Enhanced Platform of the NHGSFP, signaling the beginning of what many hope will be a more robust, data-driven, and impactful era for school feeding in Nigeria.