Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday unveiled the National Community Food Bank Programme in Maiduguri, Borno State, as part of efforts to tackle hunger and malnutrition in the North-East and across the country.
Speaking during the launch, Mrs Tinubu described the initiative as a critical intervention aimed at improving nutrition among vulnerable populations, particularly children and mothers.
“Your Excellencies and guests, it is a great honour and privilege to be here. This will be the first assignment while we are here in Borno State for our children and mothers.
“I have the honour to commission the National Community Food Bank Programme in the North-East to the glory of God,” she said.
The programme, which was earlier launched in Abuja, is designed to establish community-based food banks in all local government areas nationwide. It targets malnourished children under six, pregnant and lactating women, orphans, and other vulnerable households.
At the national launch earlier in April, the initiative attracted pledges exceeding N66 billion from both public and private sector stakeholders.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, had announced the commitments during the inauguration of the programme’s Board of Trustees at the State House Conference Centre.
Among the major contributors, the Aliko Dangote Foundation pledged N20 billion in-kind support over five years, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited committed N10 billion within the same period.
Additional contributions included N500 million from the Emeka Offor Foundation and $500,000 donated by associates of the First Lady. President Bola Tinubu also approved a N17 billion intervention fund through the Social Action Fund to support the initiative.
The National Community Food Bank Programme will operate through a voucher-based system, enabling beneficiaries to access nutritious, locally sourced food. It will be linked to primary healthcare centres supported by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to address food insecurity, improve public health outcomes, and strengthen social protection systems, particularly in regions heavily affected by poverty and conflict.
The unveiling in Maiduguri marks the beginning of the programme’s rollout in the North-East, one of the areas most impacted by food shortages and malnutrition in Nigeria.