FIRST LADY LAUNCHES NATIONAL FOOD BANK PROGRAM, INAUGURATES TRUST FUND TRUSTEES

The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu has launched the National Community Food Bank Program targeting an initial 500,000 households across the nation in the first year.

According to the First Lady, the program will go a long way in the hunger‑fighting drive by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The Community Food Bank Program was conceived by us as sustainable response to bringing healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under 6 years, strengthening community‑based nutrition systems, and restore 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.”

“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 organizations, civil society groups, and community institutions. Food banks create a bridge between abundance and need.”

The Senator Oluremi Tinubu 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 (about N692.5 million at the current exchange rate) pledged by “friends of Her Excellency” who wish to remain anonymous.

“I am delighted and honored 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.”

“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. Members of the Board of Trustees of the Community Food Bank Trust Fund are distinguished individuals with wealth of experience, integrity, and deep commitment to public service. They will provide the strategic leadership and oversight needed to ensure that this trust fund is governed with transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Their collective leadership will ensure that every Naira donated is used judiciously. I congratulate you all, and I thank you for accepting this all‑important national responsibility.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, on behalf of other Governors pledged to match the N17 billion Federal commitment with a counterpart fund.

“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.”

“The NGF stands ready to work closely with the Federal Government.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali 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.”

“Our nutrition remains one of the most serious public health challenges that we face, contributing significantly to under‑five mortality, limiting growth. There are many statistics that have been mentioned, but behind these statistics are real families, real people, real children, and communities whose well‑being depends on our collective action.”

He disclosed that the Federal Government has approved a N17 billion intervention through the Social Action Fund.

“In addition, I’ve been informed that His Excellency the President has already approved a special intervention of 17 billion Naira through the Social Action Fund… to buy local contribution to this effort, this community‑based nutrition effort. That will allow us to decentralize the social action to communities, proper governance using public resources as a complement to what the private sector and the financing is doing.”

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the National Community Food Bank Programme as a shift from “sympathy to structure and from concern to coordinated response,” saying the initiative’s community‑driven and well‑structured approach organises support in a measurable and sustainable way.

He cited the data that about 12 million Nigerian children under five are stunted and nearly half face chronic undernourishment, while malnutrition contributes to nearly half of under‑five deaths, even as the country suffers post‑harvest losses of up to 20–60 percent on some perishable crops

“The Trust Fund provides a disciplined mechanism to aggregate resources, ensure sustainability, and move locally produced food through structured supply systems to households.”

Representing the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hamisu Mohammed underscored the role of local governments in the initiative.

“This initiative comes at a critical time for food security and rising cost of living. 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.”

Ayodeji Sotinrin, Managing Director/CEO of Bank of Agriculture, where the fund is domiciled, spelled out the operational safeguards.

“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 Nigeria 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 authorize a disbursement. A minimum of three to five authorized trustees must co‑sign every approval, and that is the standard we have set for ourselves.”

“Contributions are received, trustees approve, procurement packages are assembled through Bank of Agriculture networks. As some of you know we have 110 branches across the country giving us close proximity to most of the communities and also distribution is carried out through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency primary health care network, reaching beneficiaries at ward level and across all 36 states.”

“At every stage—procurement, distribution and reporting—there is independent verification and quarterly reports that will be published for all donors to see.”

He introduced the board members, naming the First Lady as Chairman and himself as Secretary, with Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Dr. Mansur Mokhtar, the Executive Director of NPHCDA and Hon. Wahab Alawiye–King as trustees.

“For us, we see this as the pathway to eradicating malnutrition in Nigeria.”

The National Community Food Bank Program would be taken across the 6 geo political zones of the country.

OYO NEWS